VALLEY Magazine | Spring 2020 by VALLEY Magazine

SPRING 2020 ISSUE 25

VRINDA AGARWAL

THE STRENGTH BEHIND A STORY

EDITORIAL DIVISION EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARY JOYCE MANAGING EDITOR CHRISTY MCDERMOTT WEB DIRECTOR ABBY FORTIN BEAUTY & HEALTH EDITOR CARMEN DIPIPPO SELF-IMPROVEMENT EDITOR KYLEE MCGUIGAN CAMPUS CULTURE EDITOR NICOLE ROGOSKY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR KELSEY LENTZ FASHION EDITOR LAUREN EDWARDS THIS JUST IN EDITOR ABBY LUKE COPY EDITOR LUCY MCKEEVER PRINT WRITERS

MADDIE MCCABE, MEG WALLACH, MADISON SUNDERLIN, CARLIE FOX, ELISE TECCO, AMANDA VAGNINI, GABBY SOLON, SHANNON HARNEY, EMILY HAYES, CHLOE SPENCER, MADDIE WINTER WEB WRITERS

JULIE JASTREMSKI, KRISTINE WANG, AMANDA FLYNN, MADDIE MCDOUGAL, TIERNEY SMITH, HELENA HAYNES, BIANCA ALVAREZ, CAITLYN GARRITY, KIRA SARSFIELD, MARISSA YACKENCHICK, JULIA CHLEBOSKI, MORAYO OGUNBAYO WEB DEVELOPER

TAYLOR KOST

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MARGO YELLIN, JESSICA MILLER EVENTS DIRECTORS

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PHOEBE SEBRING, IZZY ALFRIEND, KYLEIGH GRAHAM, LILA MOORE, ALYSSA DELUCA, KELSEY ANTIGUA, SYDNEY MCCORMACK, SUHANI SHAH, RITHU GS, THOMAS FINOCCHIARO EVENTS

MEGAN MARKEY,AVA SILVERMAN, ANGELINA ACOSTA, ALYSSA BOTBYL, TOBY LAZEAR, UTKU OZDEMIR, ERYN WERNER, KELLY Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CALLAGHAN, ALYSSA MCERLAIN, HAILEY TYRREL, MEGAN FERRETTI, ZOE ACKLEY, AVA KOVACS, CHLOE BUTLER, SHELBY DEPRETA FINANCE

MARIA NATALIA VALERY, COLLEEN MCPEEK, ALISHA TANDON, LIZZIE SCHRANGHAMER, GABBY VERAS, SHAYNA MCNAMEE, SOPHIA RALLIS PUBLIC RELATIONS

CREATIVE DIVISION CREATIVE DIRECTOR JESSICA MAYER DESIGN DIRECTOR KYLIE RADICK DIGITAL DESIGN DIRECTOR ASTRID NAVAS FASHION DIRECTOR RACHAEL MUIR PHOTO DIRECTOR BEN PIETRUSINSKI ASSISTANT PHOTO DIRECTORS GRACE SOUTHERN,

SHANNON SOBOSLAY TARA TYNDALL

VIDEO DIRECTOR

KALEIGH FIELDS, ELLIE MURPHY, GRACE RHODES, CLAIRE AIRO, MADDIE BACIAK, ELLIE DEARDORFF, KIERAN SHIFFLER, EMILY DESSEL, SHANA BIGLEY, HALLE SZUMIGALA, NATALIA LIVCHA, MASON HART, COLE MAJERNICK, LANDON PICA, EVAN MEHALOV, MAR FRANCO, ADELLINE SASSANI, HANNAH MORRISSEY, MIA HOLLIE, ALAYNA SNAVELY BOARD OF ADVISORS

MARIE HARDIN

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BEAUTY AND HEALTH

09 12 14 15 16

Something For Your M.I.N.D. Red Light, Green Light, BLUE Light IUDs, Implants and Pills — Oh My! The Blue Zone 50 Years of Beauty

SELF IMPROVEMENT

20 22 23 24 26

The Law of Attraction Hygge Your Way to Happy Sign of the Times 5 Things That Won’t Matter in 5 Years On-Brand

CAMPUS CULTURE

28 36 38 39 40

The Strength of a Story Farm Town to Downtown Gifting Guidance: Class of 2020’s CAPS Endowment Who Are You Here For? For the Glory: 50 Things Before Graduation

41 ENTERTAINMENT

Penn State’s only student-run life and style magazine. VALLEY Magazine is published once per semester and distributed for free on Penn State’s main campus in University Park, PA. Our mission is to recognize Penn State students for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments and to feature local style, entertainment and lifestyle trends.

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Murder on the Mind (Pod)Casting a Wide Net: How Podcasts Help Us Grow Is it Time to Cancel “Cancel Culture”? FaceTuning In: Why We Post

49 FASHION 50 51 52 54 55

Slowing Down Fast Fashion Remodeling the Runway Designer Disconnect Fashion Is Fluid Game Over

VALLEY Magazine is named after Happy Valley and was founded in September 2007 by former Penn State students Nicole Gallo, Meredith Ryan, Katie Zuccolo and Kathryn Tomaselli. The Spring 2020 magazine is VALLEY’s twenty-fifth issue. 03

04 Photo By Ben Pietrusinski

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR LETTER FROM THE EDITOR LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

When I first came to Penn State in 2016, there was very little that was clear. I questioned every move I made from my choice of major to the clubs I joined to how much of my meal plan I could logically spend on Starbucks. But one thing I never had to question was whether or not I wanted to be a part of VALLEY Magazine. VALLEY has not only entirely shaped the path my career will take when I leave Penn State this May, but has allowed me to meet some of the most wonderful, passionate and creative people I have known in these past four years. I can confidently say that Vrinda, our gorgeous cover star, is one of those people. Thank you so much Vrinda for allowing me to share your story; it has opened my eyes to a world of injustice I have never known and could not imagine. Your perseverance is truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that with it you will do amazing things. There are not enough words I could string together to express how thankful I am for every member of our staff. I have been more proud to be your Editor-in-Chief than you will ever know. To our Creative Director, Jessie, and your entire staff — thank you so much for bringing our words to life. Your vision for VALLEY gets even more amazing with each new issue, and your collective creativity is unmatched. Ben, our Photo Director, you have been such a pleasure to work with. Our cover spread this semester is more stunning than I could have hoped — thank you for capturing Vrinda’s story through such amazing photos. To Camila, our Business Director, thank you so much for everything that you and your staff do. From generating a fantastic social media presence and hosting events across campus, to working diligently to ensure we can produce a magazine each semester — we owe it all to you. To my entire editorial staff: without you my position would be pointless! I have never met a more eager and truly talented group of individuals than our web writers. I could not be any happier that you are the future of VALLEY. Print writers, thank you for never failing to give your all to everything you write. Every single one of your articles this semester is fantastic, and I cannot wait to share them with our readers. To our section editors, thank you for going above and beyond to ensure our magazine is nothing short of perfect. To Abby, our Web Director, I have never met someone who has been able to balance so many responsibilities at once. I cannot thank you enough for cultivating such a fantastic website for us with every piece of content that you publish. And shoutout to Taylor, our Web Developer, for keeping that website up and running in the first place! Lucy, our Copy Editor and the absolute queen of titling articles, you somehow catch typos and add commas in places no one else would suspect. Thank you for helping to ensure VALLEY is as flawless as possible. And of course Christy, our Managing Editor, I owe you the most. Thank you for being there every step of the way, for never failing to answer my 2 a.m. panic texts, and for always keeping me laughing through every road block we faced this semester. I could not be leaving VALLEY in better hands. This semester has been nothing short of a whirlwind, but it never stopped everyone on staff from continuing to give their everything to make this issue of VALLEY possible. So, last but never least, I want to thank all of our loyal readers for continuing to support this magazine that we love so much. We are thrilled to finally share our finished product with you all. All the best,

Mary Joyce, Editor-In-Chief

The Center for Arts & Crafts at Penn State Summer Art Classes Session 1 starts May 11 Session 2 starts July 6

Classes include pottery, painting, stained glass, drawing, workshops and more!

Registrations for session 1 will open mid April in 3 Ritenour

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter For more info, email craftcenter@psu.edu studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/craftcenter

Complete your look.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.â&#x20AC;? Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U. Ed. STA 20-355

FASHION SOCIETY

OF PENN STATE 06

Photos By Grace Southern

BEAUTY + HEALTH BEAUTY + HEALTH BEAUTY + HEALTH

SADIE BAGDASIAN Sophomore, Public Relations Chevy Chase, Maryland “I have learned that differences make us unique, they build character and confidence, and open doors to new opportunities.”

To read more about Sadie, visit valleymagazinepsu.com. 07

Photography By Grace Southern and Cassie Luzenski | Makeup By Becca VÃ©lez

Something For Your M.I.N.D.

electrify

heart

Cam is wearing eyeliner by HAUS Labs, shirts thrifted, necklace by ASOS.

Taylor is wearing Pastel Purple by Overtone, eyeshadow by Morphe, eyeliner by Urban Decay, brows by Glossier, shirts by H+M.

Evan is wearing eyeliner by Glossier, shirts thrifted, necklaces and bracelet by ASOS.

are

you

bored

yet

Sophie is wearing eyeliner by HAUS Labs, eyeshadow by Morphe, brows by Glossier, shirts by Urban.

12 Photos by Darya Alvarez and Alea Tobin

Red Light, Green Light, BLUE Light By Gabby Solon

Cycling through our seemingly endless Snapchats and explore pages, typing up emails and essays, and de-stressing for hours binging on our favorite shows — we are on our electronic devices from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep. While we might not bat an eye at everyday essentials like our smartphones or laptops, these devices may be doing more harm than we think.

“Our most surprising finding was that individuals using the e-reader would be more tired and take longer to become alert the next morning, which has real consequences for daytime functioning, and these effects might be worse in the real world as opposed to the controlled environment we used,” assistant professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State, Anne-Marie Chang says.

To give us crisp, clean displays, many devices perform using LED back-light technology which emits strong rays of something called “blue light.” Blue light is a color of light on the visible spectrum that has a higher concentration of energy housed in shorter wavelengths. In simpler terms, blue light pushes a lot of energy into our eyes that they cannot naturally filter out.

With this extremely high usage of electronic devices, comes concern of what the long term effects will be, as many already experience varying symptoms of digital eyestrain due to extended periods of time in front of their screens.

Chronic exposure to blue light tends to trick the brain into thinking that night is actually day, suppressing the release of the sleep facilitating hormone melatonin, and affecting the body’s natural circadian rhythm. These light-induced mind games shift a user’s sleep cycle away from their natural pattern and cause them to experience trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Within the past few years, institutions across the nation have funded research projects analyzing blue light and its effects on all age groups and areas. Harvard researchers were some of the first to conduct multiple studies analyzing the effects of blue light on subjects. Their research showed that 6.5 hours of exposure to blue light reduced melatonin for twice as long and shifted circadian rhythms by a full three hours, causing poor sleep. “We introduce these devices that have medical and biological effects without requiring any health studies on their impact,” director of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Charles Czisler says. “They don’t have to go through any evaluation like a drug would, for safety and efficacy … I think it’s time to rethink that.” Researchers right here in Happy Valley also conducted a study observing 12 adults for two weeks who either used an iPad or book for reading material at night. The researchers reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, that the participants who used iPads took on average 10 minutes longer to fall asleep and had a significantly lower amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which affects the brain’s ability to learn and retain memories.

The National Sleep Foundation conducted a poll showcasing just how extensive the use of electronics has become at night in American’s lives. Around 90% of adults and 75% of children reported having at least one electronic device in their bedrooms and many reported having multiple devices, such as televisions, laptops and tablets. To tackle this issue head on, many companies have emerged to save our eyes with the development of blue light filtering glasses. Uvex produces some of the most widely used safety wear. At only $10, Uvex’s orange-tinted blue light blocking glasses are the cheapest and most accessible on the Internet, but do not offer a very trendy look that would work for everyday wear. However, it is important to remember that blue light is only excessively detrimental at night. So do not feel pressured to spend a lot of money on frames that will only ever be worn while finishing up homework or watching TV in the comfort of your own home. For those still looking for a more wearable solution, there are plenty of style-centric brands focused on filtering out blue light. Felix Gray, the company who first popularized the idea of wearing blue light glasses at the office, offers the widest range of glasses today. They offer both daytime and nighttime styles, as well as multiple tints and frames. As more research is conducted, more will surface about the effects of blue light on our vision, but in the meantime it is important to check yourself when it comes to your devices. Look into switching on your device’s dim, red light setting — which will cause significantly less strain on your eyes when scrolling in the dark. Better yet try shutting down all blue light emitting devices two to three hours before bed and flip through a good old-fashioned book before drifting off. ■

IUDs, Implants and Pills — Oh My! By Chloe Spencer

Ever since the birth control pill was introduced, it has been a wildly popular way for women to take control of their bodies and sex lives. It has had a long history in the United States, beginning with Margaret Sanger opening the first birth control clinic in the U.S. and moving on to raise the money needed to research the first oral contraceptive. Although birth control has changed significantly over the years, it has always been a powerful symbol of feminism and a woman’s right to choose her career over family. Perhaps the most well-known form of birth control is the pill, which is taken orally at the same time every day. The pill is 99% effective when used correctly, but with slight error taken into consideration, it is usually about 91% effective. The cost of this type of birth control is typically $0 to $50, depending on insurance. The way it works depends on what type of pill you are prescribed. Combined pills work by not allowing the ovaries to release eggs, while also thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining. All of these things combined make it much more difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg, therefore making it harder to become pregnant while taking the pill. Progestin-only pills work by only causing cervical mucus to thicken and uterine lining to thin. Another form of birth control that is much more effective than the pill, is the intrauterine device or IUD. The IUD is a T-shaped device that is placed into your uterus by a healthcare professional. IUDs are over 99% effective in preventing pregnancies and typically cost $0 to $1,300, depending on insurance. There are two categories of IUDs: copper (non-hormonal) and hormonal. Copper IUDs do not contain hormones, yet can protect against pregnancy for 10 to 12 years, as the copper they are made of acts as a spermicide. Hormonal IUDs use the same hormone as birth control pills to prevent pregnancy in the same ways: by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining. Depending on the brand, these can last from 3 to 7 years. While there may be pain around the time when an IUD is inserted, afterwards you should not be able to feel it. IUDs can be removed at any time, and they make a great option for those who want birth control with no additional effort. A lesser-known form of birth control is the implant, also known by its brand name Nexplanon. Just like an IUD, Nexplanon is more than 99% effective when it comes to preventing pregnancy. The implant is a small plastic rod that is inserted into the inner part of your upper arm that can last from 3 to 5 years and can be removed at any time. Implants typically cost $0 to $1,300 and are classified by Planned Parenthood as “low-maintenance.” Implants use the same hormones as IUDs and the pill, which means that they produce the same changes in your body in order to prevent pregnancy. Similar to the IUD, there is no everyday maintenance associated with this form of birth control, so it is great for those who do not want to worry about taking a daily pill. It is very important to remember that these forms of birth control will not prevent sexually transmitted infections or STIs. In order to avoid STIs, you must use another form of birth control that protects against these infections, such as condoms. When considering what type of birth control you should use, it is important to remember that since you are the one using it, only you and your doctor should have a say in which type you decide on. Do not feel pressured to go on birth control or to choose a certain type. The decisions you make about your body are up to you, and you only! ■

The Blue Zone By Carmen DiPippo

In recent years, the keto diet, veganism and other diets designed to improve immediate health have become widely popular. However, there is no significant research to show that these diets can help humans live longer. The Blue Zone diet aims to provide a comprehensive guide to eating for life expectancy and has taken off in the world of nutrition and dietetics. The Blue Zone theory is centered around food, but also encourages individuals to live an overall balanced lifestyle through various other practices. We may not realize it, but what we eat and how we live our day-to-day lives plays a huge role in determining our lifespans. We are all likely familiar with a few rather basic examples of this concept, from not smoking cigarettes to eating fruits and vegetables, but these are only the beginning of what we can do to live longer.

natural source of protein. Following the Blue Zone does not mean cutting out protein entirely, but rather finding foods other than red meat and poultry to acquire it.

Beyond the dinner table, there are mental health and mindfulness techniques that are key to setting us up for a positive and healthy future, because while food fuels our bodies, our experiences and thoughts fuel our minds.

Outside of main mealtimes, snacking is often where many of us find ourselves falling into bad habits. With a plethora of processed snacks available today, it is often second nature to reach for a granola bar, chips or other processed snacks. Trading these items with a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit can do wonders for our bodies, despite being one simple change in your weekly shopping cart.

THE ZONE The Blue Zone regions of the world are typically where the world’s longest-living people reside. While there certainly are exceptions, the long lifespan is more often than not due to health and lifestyle practices that are common throughout these areas of the world. Dan Buettner, one of the largest advocates of the Blue Zone movement, has studied these individuals. The populations in these pockets of the planet have an extremely high percentage of nonagenarians and centenarians — people who live to be over 90 and 100, respectively. They also have low rates of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity, Health Magazine reports.

A common misconception among those embarking on new diets to improve their lives is that alcohol or coffee must be avoided entirely. However, with the Blue Zone diet, both of these popular beverages can be consumed in moderation. In addition to coffee, various herbal teas are often a staple beverage in Blue Zone regions. However, not all alcohol is created equal. Typically, red wine is the drink of choice in these five zones, as opposed to the ever popular carbonated beers, seltzers or sugary mixed drinks. Red wine is rich in antioxidants, and when consumed in moderation can be a relatively healthy way to drink alcohol. THE LIFESTYLE

The five zones are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. While they cover multiple continents and ways of life, these places have more in common than you may first realize.

In communities in the Blue Zone regions of the world, high life expectancies are not just due to eating a clean diet. While food is a huge component of our day-to-day lives, living a healthy lifestyle includes much more than just what you eat.

THE DIET

Exercising frequently is a vital component when it comes to changing your lifestyle. It is often difficult to see results in a diet without some sort of exercise component present. However, working out does not have to be a chore. Finding a workout that fits your goals and personality, whether it be a slower, mindfulness-based yoga class or a high intensity cardio workout, the key is finding a way to get moving. While you will see physical benefits, the positive mental and emotional effects can sometimes outweigh the external ones.

When thinking about eating healthy, our minds probably turn to fruits and vegetables, which is exactly one of the main focuses of this pattern of eating. There is a huge emphasis on following a plant-based regimen, but that being said, there is wiggle room when it comes to other groups on the food pyrvamid. Focusing on foods that are whole and not processed is key to staying in the zone. The Blue Zone diet and veganism are not the same thing; therefore, a small amount of dairy or fish is permitted. The main idea here is to listen to the body and give yourself the proper portions you personally need to live and feel your best. These concepts are going to look different for every single person, and that is the beauty of a diet with guidelines rather than a laundry list of mandatory rules. Across all five Blue Zone regions, beans are one of the most common staple foods. These legumes are protein-packed and proven to increase lifespan, as they are a

While exercise is a common way to reduce stress and relax oneself, not everyone finds these benefits during a workout. No matter what calms your mind, whether it is journaling, taking walks or spending time with loved ones, creating an outlet for the negative thoughts in your mind is the only way to appreciate the positive ones. Chronic stress over time is linked to several age-related diseases — including dementia and Alzheimer’s — so while taking time to clear your mind may seem like waste, in the long run it is more than beneficial. Human beings often naturally desire a purpose, whether it be a career, passion or general sense of contentment. Fueling this purpose and this passion daily is essential to living a long life, because it empowers us to want to be the best version of ourselves in every moment. The key is simply figuring out what makes you happy, and once you do, surrounding yourself with people and things that bring that happiness out in you. Implementing lifestyle changes followed in Blue Zone regions will not only help you feel your best, but may increase chances of a longer, happier life. ■

Collage By Shannon Soboslay

50 YEARS OF BEAUTY By Maddie McCabe

While beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, trends seem to set a standard across the masses. Trends are constantly changing and evolving with time, influenced by social movements, culture and celebrities.

The 1980s Moving into the 80s, the natural look was replaced by beauty trends that were quite the opposite. The popularity of disco music and star clubs like Studio 54, inspired fun and colorful makeup looks involving neon shadows, bright blushes and thick, layered eyeliner. Pink, purple, blue and gold shadows were among the most favored colors to choose from, and eyeshadow looks were usually worn from eyelid to brow for a dramatic effect. Many times people paired these vibrant colors together on their lids, inspired by iconic celebrities of the decade like Cher. While thick eyeliner was also added for even more boldness, some also used eyeliner to create beauty marks, influenced by celebrities like Madonna. Bold and bushy brows were also rocked by Brooke Shields and many others. To finish off an ideal makeup look in the 80s, vibrant lipstick and layers of blush and bronzer on the cheekbones were added. One of the most popular lip products at the time was the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in No. 19 “Le Fuchsia.” Equally as dramatic as the makeup trends of this decade were the hairstyles. Big hair looks, coated with many layers of Aqua Net were seen on both men and women, such as then-couple Heather Locklear and Mötley Crüe drummer, Tommy Lee. For those who could not seem to tease their hair to achieve the desired voluminous look, they could always turn to bangs. “Mall bangs” were worn by it-girl and actress Christina Applegate, with many others following in her footsteps.

The 2000s Celebrities and pop culture truly ruled beauty during the 2000s. Thick, full lashes became a trend after Jennifer Lopez wore red fox fur lashes by Shu Uemura at the 2000 Oscars. While animal fur lashes certainly did not stick well with the public, fake lashes did. Lash bars began to popularize professional fake lash application. Coats of thick mascara were also applied by many who did not have fake lashes, but still wanted to achieve the “full” look. Some other makeup trends inspired by celebrities were born on reality TV. Kim Kardashian and the women from Jersey Shore influenced looks featuring smokey, dark eyeshadow. If one was not going for a dark eye look, then white eyeshadow was used to make the eyes pop. Eye looks were paired with heavy-handed bronzed and blushed cheeks. Fake tanning also became increasingly popular throughout this decade, as bronzed skin was very in. Glossy lips were also a huge trend. Lancome “Juicy Tubes” and fruit scented Lip Smackers were a go-to, applied until hair inevitably stuck to the lips. Flat-ironed, highlighted and sometimes even two-toned hair, often worn by Christina Aguilera, was popular.

The 1970s The 70s ushered in a decade of embracing natural beauty influenced by the rise of various movements, such as the hippy movement, anti-war efforts during the Vietnam War and the women’s liberation movement. Most of the women’s liberation movement rejected beauty stereotypes, so many women began to prefer a bare-faced look. This drew makeup consumers to opt instead for natural products, embracing the ideology that “beauty is within.” Women used bronzer to create a sun-kissed look, adding a touch of neutral-colored blushes to achieve a tan and radiant face. Brows, both thin and thick, were popular as long as they were shaped with an arch. Many women did not wear eyeshadow during this decade, but those who did wore colors like light blues, greens and purples. Eye crayons were a particular favorite product that were sold by many brands.The women’s liberation movement not only influenced consumers of makeup, but brands themselves, who started to market products as “barely there” and “invisible.” Some of the popular makeup brands in this decade were Max Factor, Yardley, Helena Rubinstein, Coty and Bourjois. CoverGirl and Maybelline were also big names in the United States, but not as big internationally. One of the most successful items of the decade was Revlon’s fragrance, “Charlie.” The best-selling fragrance launched in 1973 and was one of the first advertisements to feature a woman in trousers, targeting an audience of independent women. Along with striving to defy beauty standards, women were also increasingly interested in improving their health and well-being, and became more interested in the ingredients in beauty products. Cosmetic brands, in turn, began to include more natural ingredients in their products.

The 1990s The 90s brought more effortless and neutral beauty trends. Some supermodels of this decade, including Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, popularized the fresh face, inspiring others to desire the flawless skin these models possessed. Some of the most reached-for makeup items were neutral eyeshadows and blushes, as well as pink, brown and nude liners, topped with frosted or shiny lipsticks. A light, smokey eye look with neutral shadows was popular, though colors like blue, purple and green were also applied lightly and blended up to the brow. This decade also popularized thin, manicured brows. Women heavily tweezed their eyebrows until they reached their desired shape and size.When it came to hair, chunky highlights and crimped waves were in style. Accessories like double barrettes, butterfly clips and even glitter gel were also popular.

The 2010s In the 2010s, people finally began ditching their tweezers and left over-plucking in the past, when supermodel Cara Delevingne brought bushy, bold brows back into style. This quickly turned into a brow-obsessed decade. Products like powders, pencils, pomades and tinted gels were used to darken and thicken people’s natural brows. To reach a desired shape waxing and threading became a popular practice, as well as microblading and laminating brows to achieve more permanent fullness. With the rise of social media, “Instagram makeup” also became popular. This selfie-driven makeup trend included techniques such as contouring, cut crease eyeshadow and baking, all inspired by drag queens and stage makeup. Famous YouTube makeup artists like James Charles and Jaclyn Hill, as well as celebrities like Kylie Jenner, have also popularized these colorful and sleek makeup looks seen on social media. Kylie Jenner did not only influence people to learn to sculpt their cheekbones with contouring, but also inspired them to try to achieve her signature full and overlined lips. The balayage hair technique became increasingly popular. This technique subtly blends highlights with the hair’s natural color for a more natural finish. Creating soft, beachy waves or embracing your natural texture was all the rage, no matter the color of hair. ■ 17

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Photos By Cassie Luzenski

SELF-IMPROVEMENT SELF-IMPROVEMENT SELF-IMPROVEMENT

DIANA WEIDNER Senior, Communication Arts & Sciences Downingtown, Pennsylvania “In a world where we desperately need each other, all we have to do is unplug and connect.”

To read more about Diana, visit valleymagazinepsu.com. 19

The Law of Attraction By Lauren Edwards

Photos By Patrick McGovern

As a college student, your thoughts and attitudes toward different circumstances and situations in your life are bound to fluctuate. College is a time of change, growth, achievements, setbacks, joy, confusion and every other emotion under the sun. Everyone can relate to being constantly told to stay positive and optimistic — but could this generic advice be more beneficial than it seems? Although the idea that a positive outlook will lead to positive outcomes might be hard to believe, it is actually a proven scientific phenomenon called the Law of Attraction. Many people have heard others talking about The Law of Attraction or even discussed it themselves, but did not know that it has an actual name. Most people have a very cloudy idea of what exactly the Law of Attraction is these days. Due to mass popularization of the law, it has been made to seem like a very simple, almost magical process in which you just imagine what you want and you automatically get it. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The Law of Attraction, a law of the universe, is much more complex than it appears to be. The widespread simplification of the law has led to false expectations that have caused many people to discount the Law of Attraction. Because of this, people think that it is just a myth that does not work, since they never got the results that they have heard the law promises. The History The roots of the Law of Attraction go back far in time. First writings about the law can be traced back to ancient civilizations and teachings. When first discovered during this time, it was not yet referred to as the Law of Attraction, but was still referenced in Buddhist and Christian religious texts. Buddha was one of the first religious figures to claim that our thoughts make us what we are. Similarly, followers of Christianity interpret Jesus as telling of our endless “power to create.” Dating back to the Ancient Babylonians, the main principle of the Law of Attraction has always been that it is the universal force that determines the course of our lives, so people of the world have always been subconsciously aware of it. Although this force has always existed, it was not until the work of Helena Blavatsky, a 19th century spiritual author and guide, that it was officially referred to as the “Law of Attraction.” The Secret The Secret, a documentary on Netflix, covers every aspect of the Law of Attraction — what it does, how to use it and how it has worked for different people. Modern day experts in philosophy, history and psychology shed some light on this “secret” to life and success. Philosopher Bob Proctor explains that, “this secret gives you everything you want: happiness, health and wealth.” Therefore, this secret of life has the power to grant miracles as well as physical and mental healing. Proctor discusses how the Law of Attraction does not discriminate. It works the same for all people from all places and all backgrounds. The Law of Attraction follows the universal law that “like always attracts like.” It states that everything that is coming into your life, you are attracting into your life. If you have a positive attitude and positive thoughts, you will attract positive things into your life, whether you realize it or not. On the other hand, if you have a negative attitude and negative thoughts, you will attract negative things into your life. Every situation and circumstance in your life is attracted by what you are thinking in your mind. For example, believers in the Law of Attraction claim that the wealthiest 1% of people in the country are not rich by chance, but rather they attracted their wealth and success with their minds because they know the secret to this law. The Science The Law of Attraction is not just “wishful thinking;” it is rooted in quantum physics. To understand how the Law of Attraction works scientifically, you must understand the Law of Vibration. The Law of Vibration states that everything in the universe is in a constant state of vibration, even if it is not visible to the human eye. The Law of Vibration also states that vibrations of similar frequencies are drawn to each other. If everything in the universe is in a constant state of vibration, vibrations of similar frequency are attracted to each other, and if the human brain has the ability to control its own vibrations, then we have the ability to control the course of our lives and attract what we wish to attract. If we keep thinking and imagining a thought, like getting that dream job, buying a new car or falling in love, we emit a frequency or magnetic signal that gives our thoughts the ability to be manifested. The Law of Attraction cannot work with actions alone. However, once you are able to change the vibration of your mind, your surroundings will mirror those vibrations and will reflect back to you with the same positivity or negativity. As stated in The Secret, it is scientifically proven that an affirmative thought is 100 times more powerful than a negative thought. With the Law of Attraction you can attract success and abundance, improve your mental and physical health, attract success and wealth, and manifest love and relationships among many other things. Because it is a law of the universe rooted in science, it is said that the Law of Attraction always works. It never fails. It is a basic function of the universe that has always existed. Just like the Law of Gravity, which you cannot always see or be physically aware of, it is always there. Whether you believe it, understand it or not, the Law of Attraction is always working and only you have the power to apply it to your life and determine its course. ■

Hygge Your Way to Happy By Elise Tecco

It can be easy to fall into the same daily cycle: wake up, get ready, go to class, eat, do work, sleep and repeat. We have all been there before: feeling like the days are blending together. While we cannot always control what happens every day, we can control how we react to it, and that can make all the difference.

Hygge Habits Taff says taking care of your mental well-being contributes to your health just as much as physical activity. One way to take care of your own well-being is to try to be more “hyggelig” (hygge-like), as the Danes say.

In 2019, the “World Happiness Report” stated that despite having a strong economy and low crime rates, the U.S. dropped in rankings for the third year in a row, becoming the 19th happiest nation on the planet.

As people in Denmark burn more candles than in any other country, follow in their footsteps and light a few candles around the room. Having the ideal mood lighting can help to create the perfect cozy and comforting setting to relax in. Take up some space in your dorm or apartment to create a “hyggekrog,” an area where you can be snug. This can be as simple as a couch with a warm, fluffy blanket. Dressdown at home in comfort with “hyggebuksers,” or baggy pants, which can just mean throwing on your favorite pair of sweats. Danes also value homemade meals like Swedish meatballs, oatmeal and pastries — so try to take some time daily to whip up a few meals yourself.

Professor John Dattilo with a Ph.D. in leisure studies at Penn State explains that we are a culture of consumerism. This can lead to feeling burnt out and unsatisfied with anything we do. One of the happiest countries, however, is Denmark. While there are many factors that contribute to their happiness, one is the concept of hygge. Pronounced “hoo-ga,” this Danish word stands for the way of life the Danes have adopted; more specifically, it describes their ability to make the mundane parts of life meaningful. History of Hygge The concept of hygge has been a part of the Danish culture since the 1800s; it helped the Danes to survive winters that hovered just above freezing with around 17 hours of darkness per day. Hygge promotes an overall feeling of coziness and comfort that contributes to one’s well-being. According to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, the Danes value hygge as a defining feature of their identity. It is a form of self-care that has taken on an integral part of their lives, similar to what freedom is to Americans. While other countries have also embraced this trend, many people do not understand what it means to live a hygge lifestyle. As the Happiness Report showed, Americans are feeling more stressed than happy. For college students in particular, it is common to be sleep deprived and to have a poor diet. While we need to work to make a living, it should not be the sole focus of our lives, especially if it is diminishing our joy. Hygge and Happiness Some people may roll their eyes at the concept of self-care, thinking they do not have time for it. But to the Danes, hygge is so much more than putting on a soothing face mask and calling it a night. It is a way of life. Recreation, park, and tourism management professor Derrick Taff, who specializes in the study of leisure, commented that hygge and leisure activities are interconnected because of their ability to improve our well-being. “Generally, when people reflect upon their state of happiness, most of the time they are pursuing leisure,” Taff says. “The things that make people happy typically involve some sort of activity that they are intrinsically motivated to do. Yet, we sometimes forget to make time for it in our day.” Professor Dattilo further defines leisure as having the freedom to do something that makes us feel comfortable and allows us to make connections — whether it be with other people or ourselves. We do things because of how they make us feel inside.

Flourish With Hygge It is important to remember that simply buying a blanket or burning candles is not going to immediately make you content. The Danes also emphasize the importance of socializing with the people you love. Professor Dattilo pointed to the work of Martin Seligman, an American psychologist who studies positive psychology and flourishing, which relies partly on having good relationships. We go beyond our happiness when we want to share this positive emotion with others. In fact, Danish chef Claus Meyer explains that when Danes sit down for a meal, they start with appetizers and then go out for a two-hour walk before eating the main meal. While a two-hour walk may be a bit much when you have homework to complete, simply taking your time while you eat and laughing with others can be a way to bring hygge into your life. Spending time in nature — feeling the fresh air and cool breeze — is another way to recharge after a long day. While we do spend time outdoors when walking to class, it is a much different experience when you do not have to rush, and can peacefully take in your surroundings. “Leisure is like liquid; it permeates everything. How we react to the everyday stuff determines how we judge the quality of our life,” Dattilo says. Mindfulness is perhaps the best way to practice hygge. Eight a.m. classes can be a struggle — but what if you switched up your mindset to look forward to your favorite cup of tea or coffee in the morning? Hygge embraces the small parts of life and makes them meaningful. Give yourself more time to wake up and have a mindful morning full of things you love to do. Whether this involves making your favorite breakfast, working out, watching TV, reading or talking with a friend, find the time to do something for you. Prioritize even the smallest of things and see how big of a difference it can make. Hygge is all about slowing down and enjoying the simplicity of life. As college students, we tend to constantly be in a rush going from one class to the next. We are guilty of obsessively refreshing Instagram, scarfing down meals and isolating ourselves. Just being more mindful of your daily routine can be the first step in changing your habits. So take a step back, slow down and do something that brings you joy, no matter how small it may be. It is the perfect way to live a happy, healthy, hygge life! ■

SIG N OF T HE T IM E S By Lucy McKeever

When “Joker,” a favorite in the award season of 2019 and 2020, was advertised and released as a dark, gritty drama, it was new territory for the film’s now-lauded director, Todd Phillips. Phillips, having worked mainly in comedy prior to “Joker,” is the directorial mind behind “Starsky & Hutch” and the “Hangover” trilogy. So, what caused Phillips’ move into deeper, darker waters? The same buzz-phrase that has been discussed and dissected by everyone from stand-up comics to the president of the United States: PC culture. Political correctness, or “PC” culture, is defined by Encyclopedia Britannica as a “term used to refer to language that seems intended to give the least amount of offense, especially when describing groups identified by external markers such as race, gender, culture or sexual orientation.” In Todd Phillips’ case, the director has gone on record as saying that political correctness not only caused his own personal departure from comedy, but is ruining the genre as a whole. In a late 2019 interview with Vanity Fair, Phillips is quoted as saying, “Go try to be funny nowadays with this woke culture. There were articles written about why comedies don’t work anymore — I’ll tell you why, because all the f****** funny guys are like, ‘F*** this sh**, because I don’t want to offend you.’ It’s hard to argue with 30 million people on Twitter.You just can’t do it, right? So you just go, ‘I’m out.’” In Phillips’ defense, the landscape of comedy has shifted considerably even within — and arguably especially within — the last decade. Many comedians, from Jerry Seinfeld to Chris Rock, have been vocal in their distaste for the newfound fear of offending that affects their careers. And for comedians who have made a living out of pushing the envelope, seemingly sudden cultural backlash may feel like an attack on their livelihoods. However, while comments that leave individuals in hot water are often framed as harmless jokes, especially after said backlash, comedians are not the only ones opposed to this particular cultural shift. Political correctness and the language surrounding it were major talking points in the most recent presidential election. Donald Trump’s lack of political correctness was often described as “refreshing” and “real,” and the marked difference between his casual, sometimes crude cadence and the stiff, rehearsed speech of his politically-experienced opponents was summed up with one commonly repeated phrase: he tells it how it is. This is one of two main consensuses that people have seemed to reach when arguing against PC culture. Along with the justification that a given individual comment is a joke and jokes should not be subject to political correctness, many opposers of political correctness take the belief that, in actively avoiding offending, we place feelings above facts and somehow confuse reality in order to cater to marginalized people. However, given the importance of discussions regarding inclusion, the increased types of stories gaining mainstream attention, and the diverse perspectives allowed in 2020 through the internet and new media, we have the ability to take a different approach: if, rather than disparage PC culture for challenging old ways, we recognize it as a natural, helpful progression of both our language and our culture. When we look back at American history just over the past 50 years, we see a timeline of a constantly learning and evolving society. However, with that progress often comes a shock at the way things were “before.” Title IX, which outlaws discrimination primarly in education “on the basis of sex” in the United States, was not passed until 1972. The 1970s also saw the first laws allowing women to open credit cards under their own names and compete in marathons. These changes followed the Civil Rights

Movement of the 50s and 60s. The Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama honors 41 individuals whose lives were lost between 1954 and 1968, though true numbers are much higher: 74 more names are listed at the Civil Rights Memorial Center as “The Forgotten,” those whose deaths were not sufficiently detailed at the time of the memorial’s dedication in 1989. The US Supreme Court only legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states as of 2015. This recent historical timeline is reflected by outdated vernacular and antiquated phrases. When we stop to ask ourselves how Americans could allow such archaic thoughts and beliefs to continue into such recent history, but turn a blind eye to anti-LGBTQ and ableist slurs like the “F-word” and the “R-word” and make excuses for our non-black friends using the “N-word,” we ignore another question: how is our language allowing the past to stay present? In 2018, a clip from 2011 resurfaced in which comedians Chris Rock, Louis C.K., Ricky Gervais and Jerry Seinfeld joke with one another, Louis C.K. using the N-word freely. While three laugh, Seinfeld is, interestingly, given his opposition to PC culture, visibly uncomfortable, stating that he never uses the word in any context. The question of who is and is not allowed to use the N-word is generally considered a fairly simple one: if you are not black, do not use it. However, opposition in the form of “I just do not think anyone should use it” or “I did not mean it in a derogatory way” is frequent, along with the debate of using the word when singing along to songs by black artists. While the history and nuance of the N-word are complicated and multifaceted, the word has a violent history with derogatory roots in slavery and the very beginning of American history. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of the word “by people who are not black as a hostile term of abuse or contempt” dates back to 1775 when it was sung as part of an American Revolutionary War song. The conversation regarding use of the N-word, given its horrific and violent history, can feel separate from the debate over PC culture that is often regarded as opinion-based and inconsequential by many Americans. However, the commonality of the point that non-black people should never use the N-word provides a valuable insight into the way we should look at all words and phrases debated under the umbrella of political correctness. When use of a word like the N-word, LGBTQ slurs, ableist terminology or xenophobic expressions is framed as a joke not subject to scrutiny or as an offhand remark not meant to be taken in a derogatory manner, the words’ violent histories and dark implications go ignored. It is this point that the Americans in opposition to the buzz-phrase that is “PC culture” often do not take into account. Our language holds power, and has held power throughout the violent and terrifyingly recent American history of social injustice. Those who, throughout this history, could never have been affected by these words when used in a derogatory manner have a responsibility to take this privilege into account when speaking. Whether this conversation is referred to as the umbrella term “political correctness” or as a category of social responsibility, jokes and offhand remarks are naturally subject to scrutiny and criticism in an evolving society. Our words reflect our opinions, biases and prejudices, and we as Americans have a duty to listen to those historically abused by these words.We hold the responsibility to use our language as a sign of the times, acknowledging our history and refusing to speak in a way that allows our past to stay present. ■ 23

5 Things That Won’t Matter In 5 Years By Amanda Vagnini

Do you remember what you ate for dinner last Wednesday or what color shirt you were wearing on the first day of freshman year? How about the grade you got on your math quiz sophomore year of high school? The answer to these questions is most likely no. You do not have to try to remember small details to notice that there are so many things in our lives — things that seem like the end of the world in the moment, that are forgotten in a matter of days. Sometimes we get so caught up in moments of stress and frustration that we turn small things into big deals, and though some memories may stick around for a while, they might not end up meaning much in the long run.

It is a typical Thursday night in college.You watch as all your friends get ready to go out to parties or bars, just as you all normally do on a Thursday. But school has hit you hard this week, and you have exams and assignments due that prevent only you from going out. As you pack up your bag and head over to the library, you part ways with your friends. Slowly the Snapchats and pictures begin rolling in. You can be upset, you can have FOMO, you can want to quit school for the sole purpose of having fun — but will it really matter in five years? Will it really matter that you missed one party so that you could do well in your classes? While it seems like the end of the world in the moment, the answer is no. In five years you will not remember that one night in college you did not get to go out, or the Snapchat you received of your friends having fun.You will not remember because, in the long run, one little night does not matter.

You have signed all the papers and paid the fee.You have picked out your outfit and drafted your responses for the crazy amount of questions you will be asked.You are rushing a sorority or fraternity.You cannot help but compare yourself to the other beautiful girls or outgoing guys as you watch your list dwindle down to only two sororities or fraternities. They are not what you wanted, they are not what you thought you were going to get in the end. But this does not matter. In five years or even less, it will not matter what tier your sorority or fraternity was categorized under. It will not matter what letters were in your Instagram bio or sewn on your sweatshirt. It will not matter that your rush experience did not go as you planned, because what really matters is what you learned from it. Regardless, your college experience will allow you to meet amazing people with the same values and beliefs as you.You will learn how to deal with change and adjust your thinking so that you feel comfortable in your own skin; tiers do not mean anything as long as you are happy where you are. Five years down the road, will it really matter that you were or were not involved in Greek life? No, it will not.

You are leaving the classroom or the testing center uneasy about the exam you just took.You know you could have studied more and that you should not have skipped class last week. A few days later the Canvas notification pops up on your lock screen.Your stomach drops and your palms get sweaty.You failed. While this seems like the end of the world at the moment, remember that this one little exam will not matter in five years. College student, Megan Landrigan, describes how grades have impacted her life and how she was able to grow from that. “I have gotten some bad grades before,” Landrigan says. “Maybe I did not study enough or put in as much effort as I should have. It is hard when you first see the grade because you know you could have done better, but it is all about looking at it as a glass half full. It is about making a change and improving for the next time. Sure it mattered then, but I know in five years I won’t even remember it, therefore I try not to dwell on the small things like that. It is really about taking control and changing it for the future.”

Photos By Grace Southern

Some things take time to get over. Some things do not work out as you planned. Some things make it feel like the world is crashing down on you. But that one exam that you did not study enough for will not make an everlasting impact on your life. Five years down the road, your grade in your class for that short period of time will never even cross your mind. It will not worry you in five years, so why let it worry you now?

You are sat in front of your laptop online shopping and your debit card balance will not allow you to purchase the newest, coolest pair of shoes.You just cannot bring yourself to splurge on the cute new jeans or jackets that are modeled in every post on Instagram’s explore page. While it kills you now to be making do with your current wardrobe, in five years you will be grateful you did not waste your money on one passing trend. In five years, when there are new styles and the trends that are all the rage now are long gone, you will laugh at the thought of being upset you did not have them. Trends change every day, so what are the odds of them being the same in five years? It does not matter today, it will not matter tomorrow, and it definitely will not make any difference in five years.

In five years, you could be settled down having found the love of your life — the person you want to spend the rest of your life with — or could be single trying to find your person and making the most of being independent. Whichever it may be, in five years you will not be heartbroken by the same person you are now or were then. Breakups happen. They hurt and they make it seem like there is no one else that will make you feel the way that person did. They make you feel like there is no future beyond that relationship. Though it feels like your heart has been shattered into a million pieces, you can and will get through it. This person who made you stay up crying yourself to sleep will eventually slip away to the back of your mind, because in five years, all the broken pieces will be healed and you will be living your ideal life.

Now it is rare that you will remember the small details of your life, but you do remember the breakup, the bad exam or the sorority or fraternity you were a part of. Just because you remember them, does not mean they matter to how you live your life anymore. Just because you can remember how you felt in those moments, does not mean you have to feel that way now. Five years is a long time. Five years allows you to heal, allows you to change and allows you to choose how you want to live your life and what you will allow to affect you. Because in five years, there will be five new things that won’t matter in five years. ■

Have a Focus: Although you may wish you had all the skills in the world, the simple truth is that you do not. Luckily for you, everyone has skills and specific areas of expertise that make them stand out as a valuable asset. Your individual expertise is what will interest people in having a conversation with you or influence them to toss you a follow on social media. For example, if you love to cook, consider weaving your passion for cooking into your brand. “You need to find your niche. The way you are going to rise above the pack is by finding something that you are uniquely qualified to speak on,” Zimmerman says. “When you start developing your brand, realizing what your strengths are, you are going to start thinking of your niche and how you can carve your little piece.” When building your personal brand, it is important to recognize the value in being an expert in one thing rather than having general knowledge about many things. Be Genuine and Authentic: In the digital age, many people mask the real versions of themselves and put on a persona for their social media followers. The issue with this lies in how easy it can be to identify someone who is not showing their true colors. Staying true to yourself and your values and constantly embodying your brand sets you up as an authentic person. Authenticity in your brand can lead to credibility among others, whether that be friends, coworkers or social media followers. In any successful brand, individuality and authenticity go hand and hand. “A good personal brand is built off authenticity,” Zimmerman says. “That does not mean that you cannot keep things personal, but show a little vulnerability — maybe showing off a little bit of your weird side or if you have a hobby that you totally geek out for.”

ON-BRAND By Abby Fortin

Photo By Noah Lovas

If you are an Instagram micro-influencer, a YouTube personality, a prominent local figure or just a typical college student, establishing an authentic and consistent personal brand is crucial to your success. The way that you act and the image that you project is your brand, whether you realize it or not. Personal branding is the intersection of marketing, networking and reputation, and it is never too early (or too late) to get started. Establishing your personal brand may seem like a tedious and time-consuming task, but you actually already have all of the tools you need. Penn State public relations professor Bill Zimmerman has decades of branding experience. Between his time with Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications and his personal branding endeavors, Zimmerman has many tips and tricks up his sleeve. “It is OK if you do not have [your brand] figured out just yet, if it is not fully formed,” Zimmerman says. “What is important is you just keep staying active, put yourself out there, keep making stuff.” The value in developing a strong personal brand is greater than you would think; the ability to effectively market yourself and your talents allows you to stand out amongst others. When it comes to job hunting and the perpetual corporate rat race, a distinct brand can make you a hot commodity. The benefits are obvious, but how should you begin to craft your brand? In order to better understand yourself and pinpoint what you want to embody both personally and professionally, consider these five core aspects: 26

Tell Your Story: Storytelling is debatably one of the most important and effective ways to breathe life into your brand. Major thought leaders of the concept and countless marketing textbooks not only encourage storytelling, but claim that it is essential. Telling your true, imperfect story is another way to show authenticity and to cultivate relationships. This is especially useful for those with a social media presence, as sharing stories can help them to relate to followers and appear more raw and human. Be Consistent: When it comes to your personal brand, consistency is key all across the board — from maintaining a consistent focus or “theme,” to being consistently authentic, to being consistent in the story that you tell. However, it is not only applicable to these core aspects of personal brand development. Influencers, content creators and e-business owners need to be consistent in their online engagement. Also, as an individual, you can stay connected with people in your network online by maintaining a noticeable and memorable presence on your platforms. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: The thought of your personal brand “failing” can be daunting and discouraging, but it is best not to look at it that way. Just like the best brands out there, trial and error are stepping stones to future success. Those who have struggled or faced failures have the scars to show from it, the stories to tell from it, and the knowledge they have gained from it. “The best thing you can do is to just keep trying new things. It is going to mean some vulnerability,” Zimmerman says. “It is going to mean going to a meeting of some student org that you are curious about for the first time and not knowing anyone there. Often those times where we put ourselves out there the most, those are the times that can be the most beneficial and nourishing to us.” Failure can be an incredibly valuable tool to use to your advantage in both your personal and professional life. Additionally, keep in mind that everyone measures failure and success differently and a set-back is only a set-back if you allow it to be! “The mind can really play some tricks on us and seem to be the enemy of productivity, but you need to fight that,” Zimmerman says. “You can always redefine what your definition of success is.” ■

Photos By Grace Southern and Cassie Luzenski

CAMPUS CULTURE CAMPUS CULTURE CAMPUS CULTURE

AUSTIN THOMAS Junior, Supply Chain Management Philadelphia, Pennsylvania “Don’t be afraid to fail. If you want to do something, set your mind to it and do it.”

To read more about Austin, visit valleymagazinepsu.com. 27

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Vrinda is wearing dress by Urban, scarf by ASOS, shoes by Nasty Gal.

With no more than a glance at the current condition of the United States, it is clear that we live in a time unlike any other we have experienced as college-aged adults. It is a time of political unrest — of what seems to be a constant struggle for acceptance and equal opportunity for everyone. While there is no doubt that this country has quite a long way yet to go, it has become easy to overlook how far we have come as a nation. It is easy to overlook the power we possess as individuals of any race, religion, gender-identity, sexual orientation or ethnicity to speak our minds and to speak them freely. It is easy to overlook in a time of such hate, that it is just as equally, if not more so, a time of great and wonderful growth. This is exactly the unintentional ignorance of our privilege as American students that Penn State freshman, Vrinda Agarwal wants us to recognize. She has lived through her own times of flagrant discrimination, has witnessed friends and peers have to hide themselves from who they are in order to survive and has found strength in herself after living in a culture of well-hidden hypocrisy.

Chasing Opportunity Vrinda grew up in a small town in India in a joint family home — living with 10 of her family members, including three older siblings. Living in such a busy home her entire childhood, she learned early on the importance of learning to share, compromise and to respect the feelings of the others. She watched her family work hard to build up both their livelihoods and their household as a whole. “Growing up in a 10 person family is the best thing. The house is never empty, it is not quiet, it is always full of life,” Vrinda says. “I cherish the people I live with and I love — and I learned that from my family.” With her family having such a big influence on the values and judgment she would grow to possess, she says that education is one key aspect of her life that she was taught to never compromise on. Even being a part of such a large household, she says everyone in the family was treated equally when it came to preparing for the future. That even as the youngest in the family, no one ever treated her like she or her education were not important. With this inherent drive to further her education and aspirations of her own to attend college away from India and in North America, Vrinda made the decision to attend a larger, all-female boarding school after moving on from her intermediate studies. She figured that branching out to a more prestigious school in the city would offer her unique opportunities that would help her to make it to a university in the United States. So in 2015 and in her first year of high school, Vrinda set off to study in a new city, at a new school where she would be living away from home and her family for the first time in her 14 years.

Away From Home At first, Vrinda’s experience in high school was not unlike many others. She was a dedicated student and quickly found that at her new school she had no trouble making top grades in each of her classes. It was in her 11th year that Vrinda became her class’ vice head girl — a position that while very prestigious, placed her directly in the spotlight. Entering this new year at the head of her class, it was clear that Vrinda had no trouble when it came to academics. Instead, she found that the real trouble lied in not being able to connect with her classmates. “I have always been a very bold, opinionated person and not many people liked that,” Vrinda says. “I never really had a bunch of close friends.” With not many same-age friends to confide in or spend time with, it was this year that Vrinda found herself making close friends with a classmate one year older than her. “Because she was the head girl and I was the vice head girl, we grew closer just because we had to share a lot of responsibilities and spend a lot of time together,” Vrinda says. As the two became good friends, it became clear that their classmates and even their professors began to treat them differently. Vrinda says that at first she had no idea what

the cause of this sudden shift in treatment meant, but as time went on it became evidennt. In a school of all girls, once rumors spread they do not seem to stop — even when those rumors are fueled only by ignorance and inexcusable prejudice. “In our school, as an all girl school, there were of course a lot of gay students,” Vrinda says. “I began to see the treatment towards them. The deans of the school and the principal were not OK with it. They would harass students saying ‘you should not be this way,’ used to call up their parents, used to suspend them.” It was hard for her to come to the realization that her classmates harbored such an obvious prejudice against their peers, harder even to discover that her principal, deans and teachers felt the same. However, it was hardest of all to have to internalize that the people who surrounded her used culture to defend their position that being gay was “wrong”. “They used to say that this [being gay] is not a part of our culture. But it is not a part of ‘culture’ to treat someone like that,” Vrinda says. “They are teaching in school that everyone is equal and we have every right to make the decisions we want, but at the same time they are saying that being gay or lesbian is not OK? I do not know then what Indian culture is if it means not respecting all human beings.” So, before she knew it, the school that Vrinda had enrolled at to build up her future, began to try to tear her down.

Rumors Spread It all began with little things. Classmates would talk to her awkwardly. Teachers would call her out of class for the smallest of infractions — like being a few minutes late — assuming that she was distracted spending time with her friend. Vrinda began to notice as well that while her friend was just as involved in this rumor, she herself took the brunt of the attention. “Things got really out of hand,” Vrinda says. “Because she [her friend] was a senior and she was always in the good books, they really targeted me.” Each class’ dorm rooms were split up onto different floors, all with a “floor in charge,” or an RA, to watch over them. However, unlike RAs at a typical American college who are also students, the floors in charge at Vrinda’s school were adults employed as a part of the full-time faculty. “The ‘floor in charge’ of my senior friend, she did not really like us,” Vrinda says. “She made it a point then to really make our lives miserable.” This senior floor in charge went around campus telling everyone that she could — students and teachers alike — that Vrinda was gay. This hatred she fueled was used as an excuse to throw out any sense of privacy that Vrinda had — treatment that she says she had seen directed at other students suspected of being gay before her. “They used to randomly check my belongings in my room. They would literally throw out everything from my closet, all over the floor,” Vrinda says. “I did not really know who did that either — if it was the staff or my own batchmates.” Journals were read out loud, letters confiscated, holiday cards torn up — it was as if no faculty member wanted their students to have any semblance of a personal life, let alone one that they deemed “wrong.” Vrinda says she knew everything had gotten too far out of hand when the floor in charge made a report that she and her friend had been sleeping in the same room. Soon after, Vrinda’s dean of academics called her into her office. Here she told Vrinda point blank that she knew what she and her friend were doing and that she wanted it to stop. “She never really mentioned what she thought I was doing, though, she would only say ‘I know what is going on between you and her,’” Vrinda says. “It never came out of her mouth like ‘you are in a relationship with her.’” As the dean walked Vrinda out of her office and to class, trying to explain the whole way why Vrinda needed to stay away from her friend,Vrinda says she found herself instead at the school’s infirmary. Here she was told by the dean that she had to stay overnight in the infirmary “to take medication” — a medication that Vrinda had been taking for years with no issues at all.Vrinda knew this was only an excuse to keep her locked up.

“ They harassed me in so

many ways, but they did not get what they wanted.” -VRINDA AGARWAL

“I heard her say to the nurse outside, ‘I want her to stay here for the night — make sure she does not go out and meet her,’” Vrinda says. The next morning Vrinda was called back to her dean’s office and told the same things: that the blame was on her, that she had to stop, and that if she did not, she would bring a bad name to her school and family. “I was seventeen, I did not know what to say,” Vrinda says. “Back then in that situation I was so frozen.” She was told that this relationship she was perpetuating — which was no more than a friendship in the first place — would only get in the way of her friend’s success. On top of this, the dean was convinced that Vrinda only wanted to apply at universities in America because her friend had done so too. She told Vrinda that when the time came, they would not allow her to apply.

Senior Year As Vrinda’s senior year began she was hoping for a clean slate. As vice head girl the year before, it was an unspoken promise that she would be elected head girl for her last year as every head girl before her had been. However, when elections for head girl began, it was clear the school had no intentions of cutting down on their hatred. On the day positions were announced, she was demoted from her role as head girl on stage in front of the entire school. “I walked out of the room and I was very, very broken,” Vrinda says. “I did not know how to face people. It took me almost a month to come out of it, just because of the entire scene.” After this, Vrinda decided to focus all of her energy on the future. Her principals and deans continued to disrupt her college application process by ignoring her requests for letters of recommendation and cutting back on her time to prepare for her SATs. Though the harassment continued — the room searches and constant monitoring — she pushed through anyway. By the end of the year she had earned top grades in her class, had been accepted to a few of her top schools in North America and knew that she was finally headed for a fresh start in a place where acceptance would be a given. “They could see it for themselves,” Vrinda says. “They harassed me in so many ways, but they did not get what they wanted.”

Moving Forward Leaving such a toxic environment, Vrinda knew she needed a university that valued diversity, where she would not encounter the same type of harassment she had before. When she received her acceptance letter to Penn State’s Bellisario College of Communications, she says that she did not have to think twice before accepting the offer. “I think that when there are very small demographics at a college or university, there is a lot of unintentional racism and prejudices that take place,” Vrinda says. “I saw that Penn State was so welcoming to international students — I felt comfortable and safe and accepted.” Now at school in the United States, she says that she realizes that what she went through was not something that she should have had to tolerate. She realizes now that looking back there were so many times she wished that she had stood up and acknowledged that what was happening was not OK. “The U.S. is such an open-minded country when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community and people are very vocal about it; in India it is not that way,” Vrinda says. “People are not proud of it, not because they do not want to be, but because they have been brought up by their schools and their family that it is not right.” Having endured the treatment that she did as a straight woman, Vrinda says she cannot imagine how much worse the school’s actions have affected her classmates and old friends she knew who were actually gay. She says now she only hopes that people — especially those at her old school — can learn to recognize and accept that behind everyone lies a story that should never be swept aside. “I just want whoever reads this to know that it is not as simple as they think it is. We can never undermine a person’s story, experiences or fears,” Vrinda says. “We should never say ‘it cannot be that bad,’ because it can be very bad, and you do not realize what an impact it has on a person.” ■

Photos By Luke Adams

FA R M TO W N TO DOWNTOWN By Carlie Fox

Within the past few years, downtown State College has become known for its vibrant nightlife, plethora of cute eateries and countless construction projects. While some students cannot wait for the next, newest high-rise to be built, some alumni and faculty members remember when State College was a small community built around local businesses and open land.

Downtown State College has evolved greatly over this past decade. Even within the last few years, the scenery of Happy Valley has gone from many local amenities to a high-rise takeover. As downtown State College progresses rapidly, it is hard for future students and even alumni to comprehend where the future of this little town is headed. Between the Rise, the Metropolitan and Here, countless apartment complexes have been built each within a few months of each other. With the student acceptance rate growing each year, it is wise for the borough to accommodate those who wish to live off-campus. However, some Penn Staters argue that the never-ending construction work is turning people away from downtown and its once youthful charm. Deanna Behring, State College Borough council representative, discusses the future of downtown State College and the upcoming projects the council has planned. “High-rise buildings can be a really smart investment for a community if managed correctly,” Behring says. “They can contribute to ‘infill’ vs. sprawl, thereby limiting the expansion of housing into green spaces and lowering greenhouse gas emissions through better energy efficiency and reduction in commuters.” Behring also stated that every current ordinance requires 10% of their floor space to be dedicated to affordable housing for students. “We need to make sure we have an overall vision for housing policy for our community, so we realize the benefits of these investments and minimize the negative impact,” Behring says. Behring says she and the rest of the State College Borough council are thrilled that the community is growing. She says there are so many small communities struggling with economic growth and vitality, but Happy Valley has the interest, energy and investment needed to flourish. “I think the biggest change in the last 10 years is that the downtown has become more cosmopolitan while keeping its small-town flavor,” Behring says. It is safe to say that downtown State College is not the simple farm town that it used to be. Slapped in the heart of central Pennsylvania, it has become known for more than its glorious football stadium and delicious ice cream. Right on the outskirts of campus lies an ever-changing environment that all Nittany Lions know and love. Though many additions to the downtown area were more than welcome in this past year — including Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, SNAP and BRGR — some students and alumni still miss the old Pennsylvania flair downtown once had. According to the State College master plan from 2013, there are many amenities in the works for downtown. The vision statement affirms: Downtown State College will continue to evolve into a worldclass college town district that reflects the dynamic town-gown relationship between a major university and a vibrant commercial district. Downtown will be a place where local citizens, regional residents, national and international visitors, faculty, staff and students will find appealing, exciting and diverse offerings. One aspect of the ever-evolving downtown that raises some concerns, surprisingly does not revolve around the new high-rises; limited parking has sparked speculation and the city council is ready to talk strategy. “I think one of the things we need to consider is how we manage our mobility networks,” Behring says. “So much of our time and effort is spent asking questions about parking. I think we are asking the wrong questions. I think we need to start talking about how we can keep the downtown area without depending on parking. How can we have a better transportation system that allows driving, biking and walking to be part of how we live, shop and eat in downtown?” With two high-rises currently being built on both Beaver Avenue and College Avenue, it is safe to say that there will be no shortage of housing for Penn Staters or State College townees moving forward. As future alumni, we are all up to speculate what downtown State College will look like when we arrive back for a football game years later. “What contributes to the charm here is our history as the site of one of the nation’s first land-grant universities,” Behring says. “We must remember that history as we march confidently into our future.” ■ 37

Gifting Guidance:

Class of 2020’s CAPS Endowment By Maddie Winter

Mental health issues are on the rise in college campuses across the country, and many students turn to their university’s health service providers for help. According to the National College Health Assessment, about one-third of U.S. college students had difficulty functioning in the last 12 months due to depression, and almost half said they felt overwhelming anxiety in the past year. This data set examined 125,000 students from more than 150 colleges and universities. With these rising numbers comes the need for universities to provide effective service programs for students to help them navigate daunting mental illness issues. Though the numbers of those dealing with mental illness are increasing, this is also partially due to a more accepting environment. The stigma that is frequently tied to mental illness is quickly diminishing, as students are stepping forward and asking for help. According to the 2019 annual report done by the Collegiate Center for Mental Health, over 200,000 college students across the country sought help last year for mental illness-related issues. This makes university counseling services more important than ever, as universities must adapt to fit the ever-evolving needs of their students. Many have recognized this importance here at Penn State, as the graduating class of 2020 has chosen to establish an endowment fund to support Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program as their class gift. Through philanthropic initiative and the aid of donors, alumni and mental health advocates, the graduating class is hoping to generate more funding for psychological services here on campus. Housed in three different locations across campus and downtown, CAPS provides a variety of services that are aimed to fit students’ exact needs. Ranging from group drop-ins, group counseling, individual counseling and rapid access crisis services, CAPS focuses on a treatment model that is meant to give students options when addressing their targeted needs. As defined by the Penn State bursar office, endowments are gifts or bequests of money that are given for the permanent support of the university. Most endowments have strict guidelines that state how much of each year’s investment income can be spent, and for many universities, this is about 5% of the endowment’s total asset value. According to CAPS, the threshold for the fund is around $20,000. If this much money is donated, CAPS will receive a percentage of that donation on a yearly basis. Dr. Kate Staley, the assistant director of community education and outreach at CAPS, discusses the benefits of this graduating class’ endowment.

“Here at Penn State, CAPS sees at least 10% of the student population, which is an excellent ratio for the size of the student body,” Staley says. “Penn State utilizes a unique treatment model, with various treatment options to target what students feel they need.” Dr. Staley went on to emphasize how many universities do not provide as many options to students, many sticking only to group counseling and crisis services. “Though it may seem limited, Penn State gifts six free sessions of individual counseling if the student feels it is needed. This is a very generous number of sessions given the large magnitude of the student body here,” Staley says. Providing adequate resources for students with mental illness on campus has stood as a significant challenge. The issue is two-fold: a lack of funding and drastic change in the landscape of mental health awareness. The shedding of the stigma surrounding mental illness has caused the demand for services to increase, as more students feel comfortable asking for help. Many universities are not currently equipped to serve a large population of students who are increasingly entering college with diagnosed mental illnesses. Dr. Staley notes that it is evident here at Penn State that the university has been making strides towards the expansion of their own mental health services on campus. The class gift, Dr. Staley explained, will further allow CAPS to effectively provide and improve its services to students. Future expansion in terms of the number of clinicians and sessions is a question of resources. “It is important for us to continue to advocate for ourselves and for students to continue advocating for mental health services,” Staley says. “We hope to one day get CAPS into a single space so all locations can work together. The university is making strides towards this goal of centralization.” The purpose of a class gift is to give graduating students a chance to leave their mark on campus by giving back to the university. This donation to CAPS will ensure that Penn State students, both present and future, will receive the best aid possible in regards to combating mental illness. “The response from students has been amazing,” Staley says. “We are totally amazed by the commitment our students have towards mental health and mental health resources here at Penn State. The gift was absolutely thrilling, and will be used to aid future students to come who seek the resources we provide.” ■

Who Are You Here For? By Emily Hayes

Hazards blinking, idling between side streets and outside apartment blocks, cars with vinyl stickers or LED logos: the standard scene on any given night in State College as students climb into covered seats of Ubers and Lyfts to get to bars or to retire home for the night. The convenience of ridesharing apps has completely eliminated the obstacles of going out — trying to squeeze into the back of a friend-of-a-friend’s car, enduring the freezing walk home with nothing but a denim jacket on, or hailing a now barely-existent taxi. When the Uber finally arrives, any worries about getting home vanish.

These tragedies have served as catalysts for awareness of the predators out there who take advantage of the trust of individuals using rideshare apps. Samantha Josephson, Elizabeth Suarez and the students at UGA are just a few of the thousands of women who have fallen victim to violence from offenders posing as drivers. After two similar incidents took place at Penn State in 2018 off of South Allen Street, the State College Police Department urges students to follow Uber’s safety guidelines. The first of the precautions Uber and Lyft are urging customers to take, is to check the license plate, make and model of the vehicle and to ask “who are you here for?” — excluding any mention of your name before the driver says it themselves. By not providing your name and asking open-ended questions, riders have a greater chance of avoiding a car with a potential predator. Uber’s Check Your Ride safety initiative also encourages users, particularly if they are alone, to sit in the backseat and share their ride with a third party through the app so their location can be tracked. Uber also updated the location and phone number privacy policies, to not allow riders or drivers access to personal information like phone numbers and specific addresses after the ride is complete. All of the aforementioned victims were ride-sharing alone at the time of their attacks. Samantha Josephson had just been separated from her roommates after going out in downtown Columbia. At her candlelight vigil, her father told the press, “what we learned is … you guys have to travel together. If there is two of you, something is less likely to happen. Samantha was by herself — she had absolutely no chance. None.” If you must travel alone, Uber’s new safety initiative created a feature where riders can share their ride with a contact, and an in-app emergency button that connects riders to 911 dispatchers. Uber has also become especially meticulous in their background checks, using face-identifying technology to match identities to the live photos and IDs of drivers.

Unfortunately, the trust riders place in the driver and the assumed safety of ridesharing has retrogressed since the kidnapping and murder of University of South Carolina senior Samantha Josephson and the violence against countless other vulnerable young women.

Like we were told by our parents growing up, Uber urges users to follow their intuition: “trust your instincts and use your best judgment when riding with Uber,” the company says. Waiting on the curb of South Allen Street for your ride home, each of these precautions might not be at the forefront of your mind, but the most effective prevention of any danger is to stay with others and be aware of all of your surroundings.

Data from the official 2019 Uber U.S. Safety Report has shown that in the past two years sexual assault, robbery and murder via rideshare are a very real threat targeting college-aged women. Offenders will prowl downtown areas in search of students, where they know potential victims will have been drinking and not paying attention to their surroundings.

In recognizing the vulnerability of ourselves and others, stories like Samantha’s and Elizabeth’s will be benchmarks of a time where these precautions were not as prevalent. In acknowledging our intuition and remembering to ask “who are you here for?” these tragedies will not be repeated. ■

Between 2017 and 2018, 5,981 sexual assault incident reports were filed to Uber. The company has responded from several angles in attempt to combat this sudden increase in violence. They have launched a specialized team of safety support agents, installed an emergency button, added a “Share My Trip” feature with GPS tracking capabilities, and added prompts for riders to check the license plate, make and model of their vehicle before getting in. Although this action has been a positive step to implement safety precautions for riders, the reality of the dangers of ridesharing are still iminent. In March 2019 after a night out, University of South Carolina senior Samantha Josephson got into the back of a Chevy Impala under the impression it was her Uber home. She was kidnapped and murdered by the driver that night. In September 2018, Las Vegas woman Elizabeth Suarez realized an Uber matching its description on the app was not hers after asking if the driver was there to pick her up. She was robbed and only escaped after jumping from the moving vehicle, cracking her skull and suffering multiple injuries. In April 2018, two female University of Georgia students were abducted at separate times by the same man posing as an Uber driver. The students between the ages of 21 and 25 were each lured into a minivan after a night out in downtown Athens, and after realizing the car was not their ride, they were both sexually assaulted. Athens-Clarke County Police speculate that the offender was lurking in downtown Athens for potential victims who were on their phones and probably awaiting a ride. Harrison Daniel, Athens-Clarke County police lieutenant, told the New York Times, “they [offenders] are taking advantage of an individual who is intoxicated and does not have all their senses. They [victims] are going to overlook little warning signs.”

For the Glory:

50 Things Before Graduation By VALLEY Staff

Whether you are a freshman just about to close the book on your first full year in college, or a senior on the brink of entering the real world, there is one thing that ties us all together regardless of year, major or personal interests: we are Penn State. VALLEY wanted to know what exactly made that happen. What memories have you made that you could not imagine graduating without? What are some of the A-list entries in your Penn State bucket-list?

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Try every flavor at the Creamery Participate in 55 Days of Cafe Take a picture on the field at Beaver Stadium Go snow tubing at Tussey Mountain Visit Old Main’s bell tower Grab late night dinner at South Dining Halls Decorate a Christmas tree in your apartment Try every restaurant in downtown State College Go to every football game Go swimming at the McCoy Natatorium Stand all 46 hours at THON Drink a Brown Cow latte at Webster’s Cafe Storm the field at Beaver Stadium Hike Mount Nittany Watch movies on the Pollock quad Go to “Gaffeoke” Karaoke Night at The Shandygaff on Wednesdays Attend TedxPSU Try every pizza place in State College Eat a chicken basket at Beaver Stadium Have a picnic at the Arboretum Plan a Spring Break trip with friends Join a THON committee Visit the Pop Up Ave flea market Attend Sex Trivia night at JAX Bar on Tuesdays Make lasting relationships with some professors Stargaze on the Old Main Lawn Prepare more for the future – really use PSU and its resources to your advantage Go on the dance floor during THON Catch a ride on a Lion Chariot pedicab Attend a concert at the Bryce Jordan Center Study in the stacks at the library Buy fresh produce at the downtown farmers market Apply to your dream internship Take a photo in front of the Penn State University sign Finally see the Jonas Brothers play at Champs Attend sporting events on campus (other than football!) Start a “We Are” chant Get involved in the underground music scene Rent an apartment downtown Take a fitness class at the IM building Go on a bar crawl of downtown bars Tailgate with friends before the Blue & White game Join as many orgs and clubs as possible Ice skate at Pegula Ice Arena Explore the artwork at the Palmer Museum Spend a semester abroad Paint pumpkins at the Arboretum around Halloween Challenge the Willard Preacher to a debate Go to the Movin’ On music festival Enjoy college as much as you can, while you can.

Contributors: Gabby Solon (Senior), Malory Loula (Sophomore), Katie Gies (Senior), Kylee McGuigan (Senior), Nicole Drouillard (Senior), Catie Gore (Senior), Kelsey Lentz (Senior), Meg Wallach (Sophomore), Harper Nardone (Class of ‘19), Maryam Abed (Senior), Baylee Sexton (Sophomore), Mary Banco (Sophomore), Nicole Rogosky (Sophomore), Allie Cleary (Senior), Ceri Grace (Sophomore), Mekhala Rao (Senior), Alexander Covaleski (Junior), Marianna Glacken (Junior), Amanda Miller (Senior)

We asked, you answered: here are the top 50 things every Penn Stater should aspire to achieve before the end of that 8th semester comes around.

Photos By Cassie Luzenski

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

AMARA EKE Junior, Fine Arts Lower Merion, Pennsylvania “Any form of art really is for the greater good to consume; we all deserve to have a bit of fun even if that moment of fun is fleeting.”

To read more about Amara, visit valleymagazinepsu.com. ## 41

MURDER ON THE MIND By Kelsey Lentz

Photo By Huntyr Kephart

Other than the murder and mayhem they revolve around, popular shows like “You,” “Killing Eve” and “Mindhunter” have one main thing in common — America is hooked on them.

“I think fear plays a part in a lot of things that we do, that is why horror movies are so popular,” Robicheaux says. “Some people like the thrill of being afraid. And I can imagine that some people also watch these things for awareness of what is out there.”

Everywhere you look, there is a new podcast, book, movie or series centered on crime or murder, and our society just cannot seem to get enough. Crime-focused entertainment has become a staple in popular culture, with the genre growing in popularity so much in the last decade that platforms are racing to compete.

Another potential motivation for indulging in this kind of entertainment is what Penn State abnormal psychology professor David Wimer explains as loss aversion theory. The theory refers to people’s preference of avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains. Wimer believes this theory could apply to our interest in dark subject matter in entertainment as well.

Netflix’s contributions to the craze include a slew of successful docuseries like “Making a Murderer,” “The Keepers” and “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes,” along with a handful of documentaries, TV shows and movies. Podcasts have soared to the forefront of this genre with “Serial,” “My Favorite Murder” and “Crime Junkies,” to name a few, raking in thousands of daily listeners. This begs the question: why is everyone so drawn to this kind of entertainment? According to experts, science can play a role in fueling our obsession with content that can at times be quite gruesome and dark. But not to worry if you are a self-proclaimed crime junky, research assures that this is a normal and healthy interest to have. While public interest and fascination in crime has rapidly grown in recent years, it is no modern concept. Penn State criminology professor Tim Robicheaux explains that he does not believe this is new, and that we may have confirmation bias in thinking of crime as suddenly being popular today.

“Our minds gravitate towards negative stimuli. I think we are motivated to pay attention to certain threats in our environment,” Wimer says. “There is just something about things that are dark or negative — violence, death, murder — that people find very appealing and I think that loss aversion is part of it.” Wimer also says that according to renowned psychologists Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, everyone has a dark side to their personality and that engaging in crime entertainment can tap into and cultivate that. “There is something alluring about that dark side of your personality, it is kind of a fundamental thing for everybody,” Wimer says. However, one concern with the popularity of this genre is that it may glorify murder and crime too much.

“People have always been interested in crime,” Robicheaux says. “I think that today, it is not necessarily that people are more interested in crime, we just have such a huge availability in it as a genre now. The interest in crime has not changed, it is the way we access it that has.”

Robicheaux feels that it makes anti-heroes out of some of these criminals and cites murderabilia as evidence of this. Murderabilia are collectibles related to murders, homicides and perpetrators. Robicheaux says there is a huge market for art created by serial killers and personal belongings owned by them.

Studies have shown that since the beginning of time there has always been a fascination with the conflict between good and evil. The fascination really took off in the 50s, 60s and 70s, when stories of crime and murder were just beginning to be made public by the media. The more society was bombarded with crime in the media, the more their interest grew, with notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy really setting this shift into motion in the 70s.

“I think [glorification] causes a lot of problems for victim’s families,” Robicheaux says.

As society progressed and technology advanced, the crime genre came into fruition. It eventually became a less stigmatized form of entertainment and as the public had more access, crime junkies no longer had to wait for late night episodes of “48 Hours” or turn to mystery paperbacks to get their fix.

“When a shooting occurs, the media focuses on the perpetrator. The perpetrator gets all the attention and that person becomes an instant celebrity,” Wimer says.

Although the genre has evolved and the way in which we consume it has changed, the draw behind crime is still the same. The allure crime has over us can boil down to a multitude of reasons and can even serve various psychological purposes. One reason can be described as a sense of “not me”— meaning that you are interested in it because it is calming to know that you are not the victim. “I think there is a level of just-world hypothesis involved and that some people like to view crime because it makes them feel safe,” Robicheaux says. The just-world phenomenon is the tendency to believe the world is just and that one will get what one deserves. This concept is often a driving force behind victim blaming and while enjoying a crime show or podcast does not mean you are placing blame on a victim by any means, it does help viewers to differentiate themselves from the victim. Watching others who are not you experience these awful things can oddly help calm your fears and ensure that it definitely will not happen to you by making you think of what you would do differently in a particular scenario. We are also fascinated by crime because we fear it. Taking an interest in entertainment of this nature helps people to make sense of such violent acts. We are fascinated with criminals and murderers in order to understand them more — their motivation and how they think. We feel if we can understand them more, maybe we can be one step ahead of them to prevent future incidents. Furthermore, these outlets allow us to explore our fear, but from the comfort and safety of our home.

Wimer uses the way perpetrators of shootings are portrayed in the media as an example of the dangers of glorification. He believes there would be a significant drop in mass shootings if information about the perpetrator was not disseminated.

He believes this can be especially damaging when perpetrators or criminals suffer from mental illness. “The media definitely glorifies these things,” Wimer says. “The goal for the media is to get website clicks, sell newspapers and make money. Their goal is not to improve mental illness. When making money is the goal, sometimes dangerous stuff can result.” Another concern can be if overexposure to this kind of content can have negative effects or consequences on a person. Robicheaux believes desensitization can become an issue, as can people who are already at risk for traumatic behavior seeking out this content as catharsis. “I would think that it is really problematic if someone would seek certain stuff out just to feel better. I think there are probably healthier ways,” Robicheaux says. “I think most people separate that though and that crime has just been something we have been interested in for a long time.” Moderation is key if you are a crime genre lover. Like most things that walk a fine line, crime content can serve many benefits, but to a degree. Plus, simply put, crime is an entertaining genre worth getting a little hooked on. It satisfies our desire to “solve the mystery” and gives us an adrenaline rush; it is thrilling, exciting and suspenseful. The storytelling is comforting as well, as most crimes are almost always solved, giving us the neatly tied up ending we crave. ■

(Pod)Casting a Wide Net: How Podcasts Help Us Grow By Abby Luke

In the age of social media that we live in, we have come to prefer information provided to us in small, convenient doses. The increased popularity of podcasts exemplifies media moving in this direction. While much focus is often placed on the benefits of podcast listening, podcast creators explain how podcasts are unique means of personal branding and professional development. What specifically do podcasts offer to both creators and listeners, and why is the industry only continuing to grow? As the world becomes increasingly connected, we have grown accustomed to information being “on demand” and having access to easily digestible forms of media. The rapid growth of the podcast industry speaks to this trend and has transformed the landscape of media in recent years. Edison Research’s release of “The Podcast Consumer 2019” showed that 51% of Americans over age 12 have listened to a podcast, with 32% having listened to one in the past month. The popularity of podcasts is not only reflective of changes in information consumption, but also underscores the perceived benefits of podcasts to listeners and podcasters themselves. Why Start a Podcast? Bill Zimmerman, lecturer in the College of Communications and host of podcast “Happy Valley Hustle,” emphasizes how he started podcasting as a means of both personal and professional growth. “I wanted my students to still see me as someone who is very much out there, making things, promoting things, and not someone who is disconnected from what is happening in their field. The podcast seemed like a cool way to do that,” Zimmerman says. For the podcaster, this medium is a novel way to tell stories and take deep dives into niche topics. Creators also are given freedom to design a podcast without boundaries, selecting the length, frequency and format of episodes. Zimmerman further underscores how creating a podcast is an effective way to create a personal brand, encouraging students to consider podcasting as a way of building a professional portfolio. “It has helped me grow a lot as a communicator, as an interviewer, it has given me a chance to put a spotlight on people that I know and given me a chance to meet new cool people,” Zimmerman says. “So there is a tremendous amount of value in podcasting, and it is something that I really encourage people to consider.” What Makes Podcasts Unique? Dr. Katie O’Toole, lecturer in the College of Communications and host of podcast “Dead Centre,” references how the unique aspects of podcasting have aided in their

rapid growth. Specifically, there are very few barriers to entry when it comes to creating a podcast — a smartphone being the only tool needed to get started. A bigger challenge with podcast creation is that it is opt-in. “You have to work a little bit harder to get your listener.You have to convince someone to actually go out and find your podcast and download it or stream it or subscribe to it,” O’Toole says. Despite this obstacle, O’Toole emphasizes that much is to be gained from this “freer, more expressive medium.” Not only do podcasters have the flexibility to produce podcasts to their liking, but also this mode of media allows for a sense of intimacy to be formed between listeners and hosts. “When you become the person that helps a cross-state trip go by more quickly or help a workout suck less, you become really thankful for that podcast,” Zimmerman says, referencing this same idea. Why Tune In? The many novel aspects of podcasting are likely why the industry only continues to grow. O’Toole explains how podcasts are breathing new life into “old legacy” media like the New York Times, whose print subscribers continue to dwindle while their podcast, “The Daily,” reaches 2 million listeners each day. “It is [The Daily] clearly reaching people in ways that the print media is no longer reaching them,” O’Toole says. In addition to the benefits gained by the podcaster, there are many advantages to tuning into podcasts themselves. Much of the uniqueness of podcasting as a medium is in its versatility — with topics ranging from the Harry Potter series to paranormal activity. With no universal structure or style to podcasts, listeners are able to tailor their playlists to their own interests. Podcast listeners benefit from learning new information or receiving entertainment during an otherwise “dead time in your day” explains Zimmerman. What Should You Take Away? With podcasts growing exponentially, they will only continue to greater define our media consumption. Whether you are the podcaster or the podcast listener, you gain access to a medium without limits. So, pop in your ear buds and explore what the boundless world of podcasting can offer you. ■

IS IS IS IS IS IS IS IS IS IS IS

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TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME

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CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL

“CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL “CANCEL

CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”? CULTURE”?

By Shannon Harney

We live in a world where one mistake or rumor can get you “canceled.” But is it OK for cancel culture to force a sense of mob mentality that can end a career in the blink of an eye? Or is it worth giving people the benefit of the doubt before totally writing them off? According to Urban Dictionary, cancel culture is a “modern internet phenomenon where a person is ejected from influence or fame by questionable actions.” Cancel culture is “quick to judge and slow to question.” One accusation, regardless of merit, can destroy a career, and social media has caused cancel culture to spread like a wildfire. However, one of the most popular examples occured around two decades ago before the massive influence of Instagram or Twitter. When popular country music trio the Dixie Chicks’ lead singer, Natalie Maines, made disapproving comments about former president George W. Bush, the band was quickly boycotted by many Americans. “We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas,” Maines said onstage in reference to Bush’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003. Country radio stations blacklisted the band for years after this statement, bringing the Dixie Chicks’ career to an abrupt end. The band went almost 13 years without releasing an album, eventually breaking their hiatus in 2019. In that same year, popular beauty and makeup influencer James Charles faced a similar situation to the Dixie Chicks. Charles had a falling-out with former mentor and friend, beauty YouTuber Tati Westbrook, which prompt-

ed her to release a 43-minute long video outlining all of the reasons she felt she could no longer be friends with Charles. The video came out soon after Charles posted a sponsored Instagram story for Sugar Bear Hair supplements, a direct rival to Westbrook’s vitamin brand, Halo Beauty. In her video, Westbrook describes feeling used and stabbed in the back. While Charles was promoting a competitors’ products, Westbrook was raving about Charles’ Morphe makeup line to her subscribers. On top of Westbrook’s disapproving comments about Charles’ business practices, she added that she believes Charles, who is gay, inappropriately hits on straight men. Many social media users were quick to side with Westbrook, causing Charles’YouTube subscribers deserted him by the millions. Even though Charles posted a counter video addressing Westbrook’s claim, many viewers felt his apology video fell short. All in all, the scandal cost Charles around three million followers. Although it took Charles months and a brief recess from social media for the negative publicity to blow over, he has been able to regain his followers after being canceled. The Dixie Chicks and James Charles are only two examples of hundreds, potentially even thousands of celebrities who have been canceled for one reason or another. But what makes cancel culture so prominent in our society? According to Penn State sociology professor Sam Richards, cancel culture thrives when people fall victim to groupthink. “It’s tough to be a fish swimming upstream when all

other fish are going downstream,” Richards says. “How do we ever know we’re following others when our entire socialization experience is rooted in following the culture around us?” Though cancel culture is considered a fairly modern phenomenon, this same notion of groupthink that can be traced throughout history. That is why Richards says cancel culture is not a modern phenomenon at all. It happens as people seek to understand the boundaries of acceptable behavior and what to do when people overstep those boundaries. “The difference is that now we have many more opportunities to ‘cancel’ people via social media platforms,” Richards says. “In the past, we could only cancel people who were close to us or we might say, ‘I’m never reading another one of that guy’s books because I don’t like that he did x or y.’” Richards also noted that cancel culture can be harmful to society in some situations. “It reproduces and gives credence to people making quick decisions on the basis of very limited facts and then potentially ruining someone’s life,” Richards says. Differing levels of severity and legitimacy make it hard to label cancel culture as innately good or bad, and not all “cancelations” have the same outcome. Some celebrities are able to escape being canceled without tarnishing their reputations, while others find themselves in an inescapable hole after their scandals go viral. Regardless, it is important to realize that cancel culture can have a huge impact on real peoples’ lives — for better or for worse. So before you partake in cancel culture yourself, make sure you do your research and find legitimate reasons to back up your decision. ■ 45

FaceTuning In: Why We Post By Kylee McGuigan / Collage By Shannon Soboslay

Remember when Instagram was just a platform to post pictures, sometimes without any captions, hashtags or filters? Yeah, we don’t either. It has been a while since Instagram has been considered “casual,” with a recent push to #MakeInstagramCasualAgain. A casual Instagram post would be just that: an untouched picture with a blasé caption and no hashtags to make it searchable through the discover tab. So what has changed? Why have we become so concerned with how we edit our photos, curate the perfect caption to match a picture’s content, and choose the right words to hashtag in order to double the engagement? It all comes down to the art of crafting an Instagram post worthy of the perfect profile — and the perfect life. When you go to take a photo, what if the subject is not perfect? If the colors in the sunset do not translate as vibrantly on-screen or if the sun creates a glare, that is where editing comes in. By turning to editing apps to brighten the sky or enhance the colors, you can trick viewers into believing your sunset was as surreal as it looks. When you post the picture, tag the location, think of the perfect caption and tailor your hashtags to maximize likes, your phone starts to blow up with notifications. These likes, along with comments like “So beautiful!” or “Wish I were there!” prompt you to believe your followers are envious of your life. This makes you feel good, right? The same goes for posting when you are the main subject. Whether that be perfecting your most flattering poses in the mirror, choosing an outfit that looks best on camera or logging on to an editing app to touch up blemishes or whiten teeth, the pressure for the “perfect shot” is a familiar feeling among Instagram users. While stress over likes and appearances can lead to insecurity and a need for approval, some others fixate on their Instagram feeds for a different reason: building a personal brand. In other words, sometimes social media is used to show off people’s lives, accomplishments or what they aspire to do. Therefore, editing pictures, adding filters and including hashtags is crucial in allowing followers and viewers to have what appears to be a holistic understanding of that person’s life. “Half of my pictures are planned and half are just in the moment when I am out and about. Either way, I always keep in mind what type of shots, backgrounds, colors, etc. would go with the flow of my feed and brand,” says Vanessa Ferraiolo, an avid Instagram user-turned-influencer from Philadelphia, PA.

“I almost think it is a necessity to get involved in social media and Instagram if you are looking to build your personal brand. [It] is an extremely powerful tool, and it is the way that the future is heading,” Vanessa says. “If you are trying to build a brand or you already have a brand and you are not on social media, you are basically missing out on a huge audience and market that could help grow your reach.” However, while planning perfect social media posts and feeds may help to establish a brand, many people do seek approval or attention from followers or viewers whenever they post a picture on Instagram. Why is that? It is simple: people tend to consider the likes they get on their Instagram posts as a determinant of their worth or popularity. In other words, it can seem as though the more likes you get on a picture, the more people like you, find you to be attractive or envy the life you have. “When I go to take a picture I never think about how many likes and comments the picture will get, but I might think about what types of photos usually respond well with my followers and will stick to what people enjoy seeing (or at least what I think they enjoy seeing),” Vanessa says. “From my experience, you also just never know how well a post is going to do. Sometimes when I put a lot of effort into a shoot, the post does not respond as well and sometimes I am shocked at some of the posts that do respond really well, so this is why I really try not to focus on posting for likes, comments [or] followers.” A report conducted by the American Psychological Association explains the connection between mental and emotional capacity with Instagram likes and social media as a whole, stating that the two are not compatible. Instagram in particular has sparked the greatest decline of any social media platform in mental health of adults 26 and younger, mostly affecting women. Time spent on social media, along with consistently checking the amount of likes and comments on a picture, is not beneficial for those who may feel negatively about themselves while doing so. Before posting your next Instagram picture, consider your purpose — why do you want to post the picture, and what is the reason behind doing so? Also consider the time it takes to edit the picture, tag the location and add filters. Are you posting for yourself or to build a brand? Or are you fretting over followers? ■

Photos By Grace Southern and Cassie Luzenski

FASHION FASHION FASHION

ZAC COWELL Senior, Environmental Resource Management Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania “Find what you’re passionate about and make something great out of it.”

To read more about Zac, visit valleymagazinepsu.com. 49

We all want to raid our parents’ old closets. To steal our mom’s classic Levi’s or our dad’s jean jacket we have only seen glimpses of in photos. More and more we see trends from when our parents were our age being recycled and incorporated into our own generation’s fashion identity. Unfortunately for us, those vintage staples our parents used to rock have most likely been missing from their wardrobes for ages. Big clothing companies — like Forever 21 and Primark — pick up on this push for vintage and other trending styles and keep track of what consumers want most. They then quickly mimic, produce and churn out clothes in a short amount of time to sell to consumers at relatively cheap costs. This process of copying trendy styles at a lesser value, but also a lesser quality, is a concept called fast fashion. At first glance, fast fashion is a great idea: you, the consumer, get to stay on top of every new trend without having to break the bank. However, while our wallets may benefit from these speedy styles, many negative impacts are created by this side of the fashion industry. In order to have inventory produced in the timely manner that these popular retail stores do, the production of the clothing itself has to be done cheaply and quickly. For example, meticulously hand-stitching laces and sewing together leathers takes time and money — both of which fast fashion brands are unwilling to spend a lot on. These brands will switch out more natural, higher quality materials for cheaper, synthetic ones. Those cute pleather jackets and trendy jeans perfect for a night out may be cheap and adorable, but producing them creates a ton of waste. According to the World Resources Institute, producing only a single pair of jeans sends out greenhouse gases into the atmosphere equivalent to driving a car more than 80 miles. As buyers we love the idea of always having something new to wear, but in avoiding any outfit repetition we usually end up underusing the fast fashion items we purchase. Clothing typically has a lifetime of about 60 wears before it can be considered old or raggedy enough to throw away. With today’s influence of fast fashion, people now tend

SLOWING SLOWING DOWN DOWN FAST FAST FASHION FASHION By Madison Sunderlin

Photos By Noah Lovas

to wear a specific article of clothing nowhere near that many times before discarding those pieces. We see proof of this in the amount of clothing that is dumped in landfills or donated to organizations like the Salvation Army and Goodwill. With the issue of fast fashion on the rise and the practice of sustainability becoming more essential each day, it is important to begin making individual changes. Not saying that you can never shop fast fashion again or that you should wait until the shirt is falling off your back before you can buy a new one, but instead try to recycle or upcycle the clothes that you already own. If upon inspection your closet is still completely spent, thrifting could be the perfect option for you. In the past, thrifting was considered something to be a reflection of your economic status. However, with the recent and popular demand for vintage clothing, thrift stores and antique boutiques are becoming increasingly popular among young consumers. Thrifting goes hand in hand with “upcycling,” which is the process of taking old clothes and revamping them to make something new and wearable. Upcycling might sometimes require some handiwork with a sewing machine, but with a little skill, it can make a huge difference in an individual’s ecological footprint. Though it may seem like your thrifted purchases or upcycled pieces can have no real impact on the damages that fast fashion creates, remember that every little bit counts. In thinking sustainably when it comes to your style, you are actively taking part in diminishing the amount of waste and used up resources that go into producing fast fashion. So next time you need a new pair of jeans, do what is best for the Earth and beg your mom to search the house for those old Levi’s! ■

Collage By Shannon Soboslay

REMODELING

THE RUNWAY By Meg Wallach

Last year, news broke that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show would officially be cancelled — the reason being that the company wanted to “evolve marketing.” The CEO of L Brands, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, claimed that the show had been cancelled because it had no real impact on the sales of their products. However, it became clear that the show was called off after coming under fire for a lack of diversity in its models. The cancellation of this world-famous, nearly two-and-a-half-decade-old show shocked loyal viewers and the fashion world alike. Many are left debating the legitimacy of this cancellation, begging the question: how will this affect the blueprint of other runway shows moving forward? In an attempt to smooth over bad publicity generated from their lack of diversity, in October of 2019 (preceding the show’s cancellation) Victoria’s Secret welcomed their first plus-size model Ali Tate Cutler, in collaboration with lingerie brand Bluebella. However, Victoria’s Secret was not expecting the backlash they received when the public considered their introduction of Cutler less as a step toward inclusivity, and more as a shallow attempt that seemed too-little, too-late. Jess Jachera is a sophomore here at Penn State who has always been extremely interested in the business aspects of the fashion world. Though not a dedicated viewer of the fashion show, she has been actively keeping up with Victoria’s Secret’s story. “Ali Tate-Cutler worked for Bluebella in the past, so when you think about it, she was not really brought in by Victoria’s Secret,” Jachera says. “If they wanted to do better by their business, they should have brought someone in who was Victoria’s Secret-exclusive.” Emily Boll, another sophomore here at Penn State and loyal viewer of the show, was very upset to see the angels hang up their wings, and feels that the cancellation was unnecessary. “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was a tradition that me and my friends looked forward to every year,” Boll says. “If the show was cancelled because of body discrimination, then I feel that people are treating the Angels just as unfairly for being skinny. They worked hard to walk the runway, and I do not think that should have been taken away from them.”

When asked if plus-size models should be given the opportunity to walk the runway, Boll believes that they absolutely should, but to not discriminate against models with a thinner figure in the process. “All bodies are beautiful,” Boll says. “And I feel that people do not realize that they are hating on models for having a thinner figure while they are advocating for plus-size models, as well.” As of right now, no other famous shows are in question of being cancelled, and it seems that more and more brands are recognizing the need for diversity and inclusivity on the runway. Back in 2019 during the Spring 2020 Fashion Week, more plus-size models were debuted than ever before — greatly surpassing even the Fall 2019 shows from February of that same year. According to The Fashion Spot, the inclusion of models of different sizes, genders, ages and races walking down the runway reached an all-time high during this season. The two leading shows to capture that inclusivity were Pyer Moss and Tommy X Zendaya. Pyer Moss’ collection — inspired by iconic, black female music artists — was marched down the runway by models exclusively of color, while Tommy X Zendaya turned to 1970s fashion in the African American community as inspiration, featuring models of all ages and races. Writer for The Fashion Spot, Cordelia Tai says that it is no question at all that industry standards are changing for the better. “Not too long ago the idea that New York’s runways could have a nearly 50-50 ratio of white to nonwhite models — or that plus-size women could walk in 19 of the season’s shows — would have been unimaginable,” Tai says. “Still, the work is far from over. The percentage of size, gender and age-diverse castings, especially the latter, needs significant improvement. Hopefully, in the near future, we will see undreamed-of progress in those categories too.” Regardless of position on the cancellation of Victoria’s Secret’s infamous runway show, it is safe to say that we can all agree fashion is a way for everyone to express their creativity, uniqueness and individuality. Runway shows should reflect the diversity of a brand’s audience so that everyone can see themselves fully represented in the eyes of the designer. Fashion is here to bring us together, not drive us apart. It should not have to end before it truly begins. ■

DESIGNER DISCONNECT By Christy McDermott / Photos By Andrew Kim

When it comes to fashion in college, many of us turn to young, famous influencers for inspiration. So, what are those influencers wearing? Gucci belts, Louis Vuitton handbags,Yeezys — the list goes on. Has this push for designer-wear created a disconnect with what we think our fashion standards should be? As college students, many of us love the look of luxury, but are we really the ones to be flexing Balenciagas while in thousands of dollars of debt and without a permanent job? Here is a look at how “flex” fashion is running our pockets dry with a new definition of what it means to be fashionable. Marketing Over Matter When it comes to understanding the marketing tactics of luxury fashion companies, it is important to first look at the reasons we are so drawn to this kind of fashion in the first place. Lisa Bolton, a marketing professor in the Smeal College of Business, dives into why we love “flex” fashion. “I think some people buy it because they believe it is higher quality, some buy it for the emotional or hedonic benefits,” Bolton says. “And then probably the other reason they buy it is for identity reasons because it says something about you: ‘I am someone that understands what luxury is, I know the brands, I can afford it.’ It is a kind of status symbol that other people can see and know that you understand and appreciate luxury, so you get those kinds of benefits that make you feel good about yourself.” The marketing of these brands tries to convince us that their items deliver emotional benefits, and that is in part why these brands can become part of someone’s identity. This causes consumers of these brands to get pleasure out of showing off their designer items, even though they are not always necessarily trying to flex. “It is like having a Chanel bag and wanting to show that off a little, even if you are not conscious of it,” Bolton says. “Even if it is not that they like the admiration of others, it makes them feel better about themselves, and then they see that influencers and celebrities also admire these brands.” For the Gram According to a consumer study done by Instagram, the typical luxury consumer is much younger than the general population. This means that they are also much more tech-savvy, drawing them to social media platforms to engage with luxury brands. Instagram even calls itself “the first port of call to discover a world of luxury” and “a perfect fit for some of the world’s most prestigious brands.” Wavemaker, the second largest media agency network in the world, boasting big name-brand clients such as L’Oreal, Chanel and Tiffany, depends largely on Instagram for marketing. “Instagram plays a huge role in inspiring consumers through strong visual aesthetics that help to spark aspirational thinking around fashion and style,” Wavemaker’s Managing Partner, Noah Mallin, says. “Through friends, influencers and celebrities consumers are exposed to destinations, clothes and accessories that shape the way they think and plan.” When it comes to marketing luxury to younger audiences like college students, Instagram can be used as a tool to inspire people to fall for a brand and aspire to be able to afford it. Influencers on Instagram are key to designer brands when it comes to marketing their products to younger audiences. “Celebrities are a little less relatable, but influencers try to seem more like you,” Bolton says. “And then you think, ‘well they can have it, so why can I not have it too?’ So then the brands go about making sure they have different versions of the products that are relatively affordable.” Not only are brands using young influencers to show off their products, but they are doing everything they can to appeal to our generation’s culture. The faces of these brands are sometimes even young celebrities — Lily-Rose Depp became the face of Chanel at 16 years old, 18-year-old Emma Chamberlain is working with Louis Vuitton and 15-year-old Charli D’Amelio brought TikTok to Prada — all in an effort to appeal to a younger crowd. Bolton noted that luxury brands have heard the environmental cries of our generation, many of them working on creating cruelty-free and sustainable luxury. “If you feel guilty about luxury, you can get the sustainable luxury brands and not feel as bad about it,” Bolton says. “It is also interesting how they are getting into secondhand luxury, too. That makes it more accessible …

Maybe you cannot buy the bag, but you could rent the bag for a special evening.” With youth-targeted marketing along with the possibility of luxury renting services like Rent the Runway, designer brands are now more accessible and desired than ever. Getting Hooked Through this wishful marketing and targeting of younger demographics, designer brands are slowly locking in their future market. Right now, people our age can save up their money for a luxury wallet or will maybe receive a designer belt as a gift; owning these gateway items can get them hooked on the industry. When these consumers grow up, graduate and become financially stable, they are then able to go after those major luxury items that they can finally afford. “In luxury branding they talk about the pyramid,” Bolton says. “So at the top you have the haute couture that no one can afford except a few special people who are extremely wealthy, and then as you go down things become more and more affordable. At the base of the pyramid is all the affordable luxury that even the top brands make … Sometimes you cannot afford the clothes, suit or dress, but you can get the belt, handbag or keychain. So it does make some of these brands sort of more accessible to people, even if they are a little financially constrained.” Designer brands know that young, college-aged adults are their future market, so they target them now, even before they are necessarily customers. By creating different price levels of products, some luxury items can be fairly attainable. Brands are counting on these smaller purchases to turn into big luxury buys once students are financially stable. By getting young people hooked early, these customers tend to stick around and remain loyal to the brands. Worth the Investment? For those of us who can afford designer items but really should not, it can be easy to justify our big purchases in a few different ways. One of the biggest justifications for luxury is when we tell ourselves that it is an “investment.” But is it really? Well, yes and no. For the more attainable items at the bottom of the luxury pyramid, no. These items are most likely not going to increase in value after you purchase them. Unless you are buying more top-shelf, limited-supply fashion, most of the designer brands we are wearing are not going to be worth as much as you purchased them for. “It is hard to imagine that it would pay off as an investment because there is just not that scarcity that might drive it to become more valuable over time,” Bolton says. “If that is the kind of fashion you are buying, thinking it is an investment or that long term it may increase in value, you may be mislead.” However, designer items can be considered a good investment in terms of the quality. Some may find the steep price tag of an item to be somewhat equivalent to the price you would spend replacing the cheaper item over the years. “It makes sense to buy something more high quality because it will last a long period of time and you will not have to replace it,” Bolton says. “I think it is interesting because that is what is turning people away from fast fashion. There is the sustainability aspect of it so you can make the argument of not buying into fast fashion and getting more quality pieces that’ll last longer.” Whether you find “flex” fashion worth it or not, designer brands and influencers are redefining what it means for us to be fashionable through their marketing ploys and tactics. ■ 53

Fashion has had a reliance on gender roles since its very start. Just by walking into any retail store, it is impossible not to notice that most establishments categorize their clothing into “men’s” and “women’s” departments. Ryan Lee Castillo is a sophmore at Penn State and a staff member at Penn State’s Clothing Transit — a program created for members of the queer and trans community to exchange clothes that reflect their gender expression and identity. “A lot of lines are being blurred recently,” Castillo says. “I think that is obvious to everybody that traditional men’s and women’s fashions are really sort of borrowing things from each other. Clothes in a store are confined to certain areas that limit people to exploring those parts of fashion just because of where it is placed or what it is labeled as.” The National Center for Transgender Equality estimated that around 35% of nearly 28,000 respondents to its anonymous online survey identified as non-binary. On a national scale, more and more people are identifying as non-binary and gender non-conforming. As a result, companies are breaking away from societal norms and diving into the world of gender-neutral fashion. Recently clothing brands like H&M, Zara and ASOS, have taken initiative in the mainstream fashion market when it comes to producing non-binary products. From H&M’s unisex denim line to ASOS’ unisex collection in partnership with GLAAD — the LGBTQ+ founded media monitoring organziaiton — bigger companies are starting to inch their way into the world of inclusivity. Smaller brands such as Rebrand, Gender Free World, TomboyX and Flavnt Streetwear, all of which were created specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, are designing products that do not confine their consumers into a gendered box.

FASHION IS FLUID

Fashion has the power to be one of the greatest forms of artistic expression. By showcasing who you are as an individual and what you stand for, what you wear can impact how you feel and the way you identify yourself. However, up until a few years ago, popular clothing brands and labels have had limitations when it comes to self-expression.

By Nicole Rogosky

“Because it is labeled a certain way, it is usually made to fit a certain body type. So there could be certain things that might be interesting to explore, but because it does not fit your body type it just practically does not work,” Castillo says. “[By] having specific lines with companies advertising clothes that are gender neutral, they help with that limiting factor of fashion. I think it really promotes growth in the fashion industry and it sort of cultivates creativity and discovery and experimentation and different avenues.” Even high fashion is starting to become fluid, with designers such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Laurent hosting co-ed fashion shows that showcase non-binary pieces. It is no secret that celebrities also have an influence on anything and everything from trends to politics — even on the normalization of fluid fashion. Actors such as Asia Kate Dillon, the first non-binary actor to have a starring role on television for their work on Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black, as well as Jonathan Van Ness, Sam Smith, Tommy Dorfman, Lachlan Watson and Amandla Stenberg have also influenced gender fluidity and non-binary representation, especially when it comes to fashion. Even cisgender celebrites such as Billy Porter, Timothee Chalamet and Harry Styles have opened up the conversation about gender-neutral clothing. Just like film and television, social media also plays a big part in the evolution and representation of gender-neutral clothing. Instagram, Twitter and even TikTok are platforms that serve as a place for people to come together as a community, educate others on the importance of non-binary representation, and inspire others to wear what they want to wear. “I think it is really cool and really fun for certain fashion companies to be advertising these gender-neutral lines of clothing,” Castillo says. “Getting people excited about fashion and excited about trying different things ... not being worried about wearing one thing and seeing someone of a different gender wearing something similar and that it is not uncomfortable anymore ... I think that is really cool.” ■

GAME OVER Photography By Ben Pietrusinski, Kylie Radick, Grace Southern, Rachael Muir Styling By Rachael Muir | Makeup By Cameron Soravilla

Lizzie is wearing dress by ASOS, boots by Doc Marten, hat thrifted.

Allie is wearing junmpsuit by ASOS, scarf by Madewell, boots by Nasty Gal.

Bis is wearing shirt by Urban, jacket thrifted, pants by H&M, shoes by Golf Le Fleur.

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Connor is wearing shirt by Urban, jacket by Calvin Klein, pants by Leviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, shoes by Vans.

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Faith is wearing dress by ASOS, jacket by Dolls Kill, shoes by Boohoo.